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diff --git a/6490.txt b/6490.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7161f5 --- /dev/null +++ b/6490.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15112 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Betrothed, by Sir Walter Scott +#28 in our series by Sir Walter Scott + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Betrothed + +Author: Sir Walter Scott + +Release Date: September, 2004 [EBook #6490] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on December 22, 2002] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BETROTHED *** + + + + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, David Moynihan, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + +THE BETROTHED + + + + +INTRODUCTION--(1832.) + + +The Tales of the Crusaders was determined upon as the title of the +following series of the Novels, rather by the advice of the few +friends whom, death has now rendered still fewer, than by the +author's own taste. Not but that he saw plainly enough the +interest which might be excited by the very name of the Crusaders, +but he was conscious at the same time that that interest was of a +character which it might be more easy to create than to satisfy, +and that by the mention of so magnificent a subject each reader +might be induced to call up to his imagination a sketch so +extensive and so grand that it might not be in the power of the +author to fill it up, who would thus stand in the predicament of +the dwarf bringing with him a standard to measure his own stature, +and showing himself, therefore, says Sterne, "a dwarf more ways +than one." + +It is a fact, if it were worth while to examine it, that the +publisher and author, however much their general interests are the +same, may be said to differ so far as title pages are concerned; +and it is a secret of the tale-telling art, if it could be termed +a secret worth knowing, that a taking-title, as it is called, best +answers the purpose of the bookseller, since it often goes far to +cover his risk, and sells an edition not unfrequently before the +public have well seen it. But the author ought to seek more +permanent fame, and wish that his work, when its leaves are first +cut open, should be at least fairly judged of. Thus many of the +best novelists have been anxious to give their works such titles +as render it out of the reader's power to conjecture their +contents, until they should have an opportunity of reading them. + +All this did not prevent the Tales of the Crusaders from being the +title fixed on; and the celebrated year of projects (eighteen +hundred and twenty-five) being the time of publication, an +introduction was prefixed according to the humour of the day. + + + +The first tale of the series was influenced in its structure, +rather by the wish to avoid the general expectations which might +be formed from the title, than to comply with any one of them, and +so disappoint the rest. The story was, therefore, less an incident +belonging to the Crusades, than one which was occasioned by the +singular cast of mind introduced and spread wide by those +memorable undertakings. The confusion among families was not the +least concomitant evil of the extraordinary preponderance of this +superstition. It was no unusual thing for a Crusader, returning +from his long toils of war and pilgrimage, to find his family +augmented by some young off-shoot, of whom the deserted matron +could give no very accurate account, or perhaps to find his +marriage-bed filled, and that, instead of becoming nurse to an old +man, his household dame had preferred being the lady-love of a +young one. Numerous are the stories of this kind told in different +parts of Europe; and the returned knight or baron, according to +his temper, sat down good naturedly contented with the account +which his lady gave of a doubtful matter, or called in blood and +fire to vindicate his honour, which, after all, had been +endangered chiefly by his forsaking his household gods to seek +adventures in Palestine. + +Scottish tradition, quoted, I think, in some part of the Border +Minstrelsy, ascribes to the clan of Tweedie, a family once stout +and warlike, a descent which would not have misbecome a hero of +antiquity. A baron, somewhat elderly we may suppose, had wedded a +buxom young lady, and some months after their union he left her to +ply the distaff alone in his old tower, among the mountains of the +county of Peebles, near the sources of the Tweed. He returned +after seven or eight years, no uncommon space for a pilgrimage to +Palestine, and found his family had not been lonely in his +absence, the lady having; been cheered by the arrival of a +stranger, (of whose approach she could give the best account of +any one,) who hung on her skirts, and called her mammy, and was +just such as the baron would have longed to call his son, but that +he could by no means make his age correspond, according to the +doctrine of civilians, with his own departure for Palestine. He +applied to his wife, therefore, for the solution of this dilemma. +The lady, after many floods of tears, which she had reserved for +the occasion, informed the honest gentleman, that, walking one day +alone by the banks of the infant river, a human form arose from a +deep eddy, still known and termed Tweed-pool, who deigned to +inform her that he was the tutelar genius of the stream, and, +_bongre malgre_, became the father of the sturdy fellow, +whose appearance had so much surprised her husband. This story, +however suitable to Pagan times, would have met with full credence +from few of the baron's contemporaries, but the wife was young and +beautiful, the husband old and in his dotage; her family (the +Frazers, it is believed) were powerful and warlike, and the baron +had had fighting enough in the holy wars. The event was, that he +believed, or seemed to believe, the tale, and remained contented +with the child with whom his wife and the Tweed had generously +presented him. The only circumstance which preserved the memory of +the incident was, that the youth retained the name of Tweed, or +Tweedie. The baron, meanwhile, could not, as the old Scotch song +says, "Keep the cradle rowing," and the Tweed apparently thought +one natural son was family enough for a decent Presbyterian lover; +and so little gall had the baron in his composition, that having +bred up the young Tweed as his heir while he lived, he left him in +that capacity when he died, and the son of the river-god founded +the family of Drummelzier and others, from whom have flowed, in +the phrase of the Ettrick Shepherd, "many a brave fellow, and many +a bauld feat." + +The tale of the Noble Moringer is somewhat of the same nature--it +exists in a collection of German popular songs, entitled, Sammlung +Deutschen Volkslieder, Berlin, 1807; published by Messrs. Busching +and Von der Hagen. The song is supposed to be extracted from a +manuscript chronicle of Nicholas Thomann, chaplain to St. Leonard +in Wissenhorn, and dated 1533. The ballad, which is popular in +Germany, is supposed from the language, to have been composed in +the fifteenth century. The Noble Moringer, a powerful baron of +Germany, about to set out on a pilgrimage to the land of St. +Thomas, with the geography of which we are not made acquainted, +resolves to commit his castle, dominions, and lady, to the vassal +who should pledge him to keep watch over them till the seven years +of his pilgrimage were accomplished. His chamberlain, an elderly +and a cautious man, declines the trust, observing, that seven +days, instead of seven years, would be the utmost space to which +he would consent to pledge himself for the fidelity of any woman. +The esquire of the Noble Moringer confidently accepts the trust +refused by the chamberlain, and the baron departs on his +pilgrimage. The seven years are now elapsed, all save a single day +and night, when, behold, a vision descends on the noble pilgrim as +he sleeps in the land of the stranger. + + "It was the noble Moringer, within an orchard slept, + When on the Baron's slumbering sense a boding vision crept, + And whispered in his ear a voice,' + 'Tis time. Sir Knight, to wake-- + Thy lady and thy heritage another master take. + + "'Thy tower another banner knows, thy steeds another rein, + And stoop them to another's will, thy gallant vassal train; + And she, the lady of thy love, so faithful once and fair, + This night, within thy father's hall, she weds Marstetten's heir.'" + +The Moringer starts up and prays to his patron St. Thomas, to +rescue him from the impending shame, which his devotion to his +patron had placed him in danger of incurring. St. Thomas, who must +have felt the justice of the imputation, performs a miracle. The +Moringer's senses were drenched in oblivion, and when he waked he +lay in a well-known spot of his own domain; on his right the +Castle of his fathers, and on his left the mill, which, as usual, +was built not far distant from the Castle. + + "He leaned upon his pilgrim's staff, and to the mill he drew-- + So altered was his goodly form that none their master knew. + The baron to the miller said, 'Good friend, for charity, + Tell a poor pilgrim, in your land, what tidings may there be?' + + "The miller answered him again--'He knew of little news, + Save that the lady of the land did a new bridegroom choose; + Her husband died in distant land, such is the constant word, + His death sits heavy on our souls, he was a worthy lord. + + "'Of him I held the little mill, which wins me living free-- + God rest the baron in his grave, he aye was kind to me! + And when St. Martin's tide comes round, and millers take their toll, + The priest that prays for Moringer shall have both cope and stole.'" + +The baron proceeds to the Castle gate, which is bolted to prevent +intrusion, while the inside of the mansion rung with preparations +for the marriage of the lady. The pilgrim prayed the porter for +entrance, conjuring him by his own sufferings, and for the sake of +the late Moringer; by the orders of his lady, the warder gave him +admittance. + + "Then up the hall paced Moringer, his step was sad and slow; + It sat full heavy on his heart, none seemed their lord to know. + He sat him on a lowly bench, oppressed with wo and wrong; + Short while he sat, but ne'er to him seemed little space so long. + + "Now spent was day, and feasting o'er, and come was evening hour, + The time was nigh when new made brides retire to nuptial bower, + 'Our Castle's wont,' a bride's man said, 'hath been both firm and long-- + No guest to harbour in our halls till he shall chant a song.'" + +When thus called upon, the disguised baron sung the following +melancholy ditty:-- + + "'Chill flows the lay of frozen age,' 'twas thus the pilgrim sung, + 'Nor golden mead, nor garment gay, unlocks his heavy tongue. + Once did I sit, thou bridegroom gay, at board as rich as thine, + And by my side as fair a bride, with all her charms, was mine. + + "'But time traced furrows on my face, and I grew silver hair'd, + For locks of brown, and cheeks of youth, she left this brow and beard; + Once rich, but now a palmer poor, I tread life's latest stage, + And mingle with your bridal mirth the lay of frozen age.'" + +The lady, moved at the doleful recollections which the palmer's +song recalled, sent to him a cup of wine. The palmer, having +exhausted the goblet, returned it, and having first dropped in the +cup his nuptial ring, requested the lady to pledge her venerable +guest. + + "The ring hath caught the lady's eye, she views it close and near, + Then might you hear her shriek aloud, 'The Moringer is here!' + Then might you see her start from seat, while tears in torrents fell, + But if she wept for joy or wo, the ladies best can tell. + + "Full loud she utter'd thanks to Heaven, and every saintly power, + That had restored the Moringer before the midnight hour; + And loud she utter'd vow on vow, that never was there bride, + That had like her preserved her troth, or been so sorely tried. + + "'Yes, here I claim the praise,' she said, 'to constant matrons due, + Who keep the troth, that they have plight, so stedfastly and true; + For count the term howe'er you will, so that you count aright, + Seven twelvemonths and a day are out when bells toll twelve to-night.' + + "It was Marstetten then rose up, his falchion there he drew, + He kneeled before The Moringer, and down his weapon threw; + 'My oath and knightly faith are broke,' these were the words he said; + 'Then take, my liege, thy vassal's sword, and take thy vassal's head. + + "The noble Moringer, he smiled, and then aloud did say, + 'He gathers wisdom that hath roamed seven twelvemonths and a day, + My daughter now hath fifteen years, fame speaks her sweet and fair; + I give her for the bride you lose, and name her for my heir. + + "'The young bridegroom hath youthful bride, the old bridegroom the old, + Whose faith were kept till term and tide so punctually were told. + But blessings on the warder kind that oped my castle gate, + For had I come at morrow tide, I came a day too late.'" + +There is also, in the rich field of German romance, another +edition of this story, which has been converted by M. Tieck (whose +labours of that kind have been so remarkable) into the subject of +one of his romantic dramas. It is, however, unnecessary to detail +it, as the present author adopted his idea of the tale chiefly +from the edition preserved in the mansion of Haighhall, of old the +mansion-house of the family of Braidshaigh, now possessed by their +descendants on the female side, the Earls of Balcarras. The story +greatly resembles that of the Noble Moringer, only there is no +miracle of St. Thomas to shock the belief of good Protestants. I +am permitted, by my noble friends, the lord and lady of Haighhall, +to print the following extract from the family genealogy. + + Sir William Bradshaghe 2d + Sone to Sr John was a + great traveller and a + Souldyer and married + To + Mabell daughter and + Sole heire of Hugh + Noris de Haghe and + Blackrode and had issue + EN. 8. E 2. + of this Mabel is a story by tradition of undouted + verity that in Sr William Bradshage's absence + (being 10 yeares away in the wares) she + married a welsh kt. Sr William retorninge + from the wars came in a Palmers habit amongst + the Poore to haghe. Who when she saw & + congetringe that that he favoured her former + husband wept, for which the kt chasticed her + at wich Sr William went and made him selfe + Knawne to his Tennants in wch space the kt + fled, but neare to Newton Parke Sr William overtooke + him and slue him. The said Dame + Mabell was enjoyned by her confessor to + doe Pennances by going onest every week + barefout and bare legg'd to a Crosse ner Wigan + from the haghe wilest she lived & is called + Mabb to this day; & ther monument Lyes + in wigan Church as you see ther Portrd. + An: Dom: 1315. + +There were many vestiges around Haighhall, both of the Catholic +penances of the Lady Mabel, and the history of this unfortunate +transaction in particular; the whole history was within the memory +of man portrayed upon a glass window in the hall, where +unfortunately it has not been preserved. Mab's Cross is still +extant. An old ruinous building is said to have been the place +where the Lady Mabel was condemned to render penance, by walking +hither from Haighhall barefooted and barelegged for the +performance of her devotions. This relic, to which an anecdote so +curious is annexed, is now unfortunately ruinous. Time and +whitewash, says Mr. Roby, have altogether defaced the effigies of +the knight and lady on the tomb. The particulars are preserved in +Mr. Roby's Traditions of Lancashire, [Footnote: A very elegant +work, 2 vols. 1829. By J. Roby, M.R.S.L.] to which the reader is +referred for further particulars. It does not appear that Sir +William Braidshaigh was irreparably offended against the too hasty +Lady Mabel, although he certainly showed himself of a more fiery +mould than the Scottish and German barons who were heroes of the +former tales. The tradition, which the author knew very early in +life, was told to him by the late Lady Balcarras. He was so much +struck with it, that being at that time profuse of legendary lore, +he inserted it in the shape of a note to Waverley, the first of +his romantic offences. Had he then known, as he now does, the +value of such a story, it is likely that, as directed in the +inimitable receipt for making an epic poem, preserved in the +Guardian, he would have kept it for some future opportunity. + +As, however, the tale had not been completely told, and was a very +interesting one, and as it was sufficiently interwoven with the +Crusades, the wars between the Welsh and the Norman lords of the +Marches was selected as a period when all freedoms might be taken +with the strict truth of history without encountering any well +known fact which might render the narrative improbable. Perhaps, +however, the period which vindicates the probability of the tale, +will, with its wars and murders, be best found described in the +following passage of Gryffyth Ap Edwin's wars. + +"This prince in conjunction with Algar, Earl of Chester, who had +been banished from England as a traitor, in the reign of Edward +the Confessor, marched into Herefordshire and wasted all that +fertile country with fire and sword, to revenge the death of his +brother Rhees, whose head had been brought to Edward in pursuance +of an order sent by the King on account of the depredations which +he had committed against the English on the borders. To stop these +ravages the Earl of Hereford, who was nephew to Edward, advanced +with an army, not of English alone, but of mercenary Normans and +French, whom he had entertained in his service, against Gryffyth +and Algar. He met them near Hereford, and offered them battle, +which the Welsh monarch, who had won five pitched battles before, +and never had fought without conquering, joyfully accepted. The +earl had commanded his English forces to fight on horseback, in +imitation of the Normans, against their usual custom; but the +Welsh making a furious and desperate charge, that nobleman +himself, and the foreign cavalry led by him, were so daunted at +the view of them, that they shamefully fled without fighting; +which being seen by the English, they also turned their backs on +the enemy, who, having killed or wounded as many of them as they +could come up with in their flight, entered triumphantly into +Hereford, spoiled and fired the city, razed the walls to the +ground, slaughtered some of the citizens, led many of them +captive, and (to use the words of the Welsh Chronicle) left +nothing in the town but blood and ashes. After this exploit they +immediately returned into Wales, undoubtedly from a desire of +securing their prisoners, and the rich plunder they had gained. +The King of England hereupon commanded Earl Harold to collect a +great army from all parts of the kingdom, and assembling them at +Gloucester, advanced from thence to invade the dominions of +Gryffyth in North Wales. He performed his orders, and penetrated +into that country without resistance from the Welsh; Gryffyth and +Algar returning into some parts of South Wales. What were their +reasons for this conduct we are not well informed; nor why Harold +did not pursue his advantage against them; but it appears that he +thought it more advisable at this time to treat with, than subdue, +them; for he left North Wales, and employed himself in rebuilding +the walls of Hereford, while negotiations were carrying on with +Gryffyth which soon after produced the restoration of Algar, and a +peace with that king, not very honourable to England, as he made +no satisfaction for the mischief he had done in the war, nor any +submissions to Edward. Harold must doubtless have had some private +and forcible motives to conclude such a treaty. The very next year the +Welsh monarch, upon what quarrel we, know not, made a new incursion +into England, and killed the Bishop of Hereford, the Sheriff of the county, +and many more of the English, both ecclesiastics and laymen. Edward +was counselled by Harold, and Leofrick, Earl of Mercia, to make +peace with him again; which he again broke; nor could he be +restrained by any means, from these barbarous inroads, before the +year one, thousand and sixty-three; when Edward, whose patience +and pacific disposition had been too much abused, commissioned +Harold to assemble the whole strength of the kingdom, and make war +upon him in his own country till he had subdued or destroyed him. +That general acted so vigorously, and with so much celerity, that +he had like to have surprised him in his palace: but just before +the English forces arrived at his gate, having notice of the +danger that threatened him, and seeing no other means of safety, +he threw himself with a few of his household into one of his ships +which happened at the instant to be ready to sail and put to +sea."--LYTTLETON'S _Hist. of England_, vol. ii. p. 338. + +This passage will be found to bear a general resemblance to the +fictitious tale told, in the Romance. + +ABBOTSFORD, 1_st June_, 1832. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + +MINUTES OF SEDERUNT OF A GENERAL MEETING OF THE SHAREHOLDERS +DESIGNING TO FORM A JOINT-STOCK COMPANY, UNITED FOR THE PURPOSE OF +WRITING AND PUBLISHING THE CLASS OF WORKS CALLED THE WAVERLEY +NOVELS, + +HELD IN THE WATERLOO TAVERN, REGENT'S BRIDGE, EDINBURGH, 1_st +June_, 1825. + +[The reader must have remarked, that the various editions of the +proceedings at this meeting were given in the public papers with +rather more than usual inaccuracy. The cause of this was no ill- +timed delicacy on the part of the gentlemen of the press to assert +their privilege of universal presence wherever a few are met +together, and to commit to the public prints whatever may then and +there pass of the most private nature. But very unusual and +arbitrary methods were resorted to on the present occasion to +prevent the reporters using a right which is generally conceded to +them by almost all meetings, whether of a political or commercial +description. Our own reporter, indeed, was bold enough to secrete +himself under the Secretary's table, and was not discovered till +the meeting was well-nigh over. We are sorry to say, he suffered +much in person from fists and toes, and two or three principal +pages were torn out of his note-book, which occasions his report +to break off abruptly. We cannot but consider this behaviour as +more particularly illiberal on the part of men who are themselves +a kind of gentlemen of the press; and they ought to consider +themselves as fortunate that the misused reporter has sought no +other vengeance than from the tone of acidity with which he has +seasoned his account of their proceedings.--_Edinburgh +Newspaper_.] + +A meeting of the gentlemen and others interested in the celebrated +publications called the Waverley Novels, having been called by +public advertisement, the same was respectably attended by various +literary characters of eminence. And it being in the first place +understood that individuals were to be denominated by the names +assigned to them in the publications in question, the Eidolon, or +image of the author, was unanimously called to the chair, and +Jonathan Oldbuck, Esq. of Monkbarns, was requested to act as +Secretary. + +The Preses then addressed the meeting to the following purpose:-- + +"Gentlemen, I need scarcely remind you, that we have a joint +interest in the valuable property which has accumulated under our +common labours. While the public have been idly engaged in +ascribing to one individual or another the immense mass of various +matter, which the labours of many had accumulated, you, gentlemen, +well know, that every person in this numerous assembly has had his +share in the honours and profits of our common success. It is, +indeed, to me a mystery, how the sharp-sighted could suppose so +huge a mass of sense and nonsense, jest and earnest, humorous and +pathetic, good, bad, and indifferent, amounting to scores of +volumes, could be the work of one hand, when we know the doctrine +so well laid down by the immortal Adam Smith, concerning the +division of labour. Were those who entertained an opinion so +strange, not wise enough to know, that it requires twenty pairs of +hands to make a thing so trifling as a pin--twenty couple of dogs +to kill an animal so insignificant as a fox?--" + +"Hout, man!" said a stout countryman, "I have a grew-bitch at home +will worry the best tod in Pomoragrains, before ye could say, +Dumpling." + +"Who is that person?" said the Preses, with some warmth, as it +appeared to us. + +"A son of Dandy Dinmont's," answered the unabashed rustic. "God, +ye may mind him, I think!--ane o' the best in your aught, I +reckon. And, ye see, I am come into the farm, and maybe something +mair, and a whoen shares in this buik-trade of yours." + +"Well, well," replied the Preses, "peace, I pray thee, peace. +Gentlemen, when thus interrupted, I was on the point of +introducing the business of this meeting, being, as is known to +most of you, the discussion of a proposition now on your table, +which I myself had the honour to suggest at last meeting, namely, +that we do apply to the Legislature for an Act of Parliament in +ordinary, to associate us into a corporate body, and give us a +_personi standi in judicio_, with full power to prosecute and +bring to conviction all encroachers upon our exclusive privilege, +in the manner therein to be made and provided. In a letter from +the ingenious Mr. Dousterswivel which I have received---" + +Oldbuck, warmly--"I object to that fellow's name being mentioned; +he is a common swindler." + +"For shame, Mr. Oldbuck," said the Preses, "to use such terms +respecting the ingenious inventor of the great patent machine +erected at Groningen, where they put in raw hemp at one end, and +take out ruffled shirts at the other, without the aid of hackle or +rippling-comb--loom, shuttle, or weaver--scissors, needle, or +seamstress. He had just completed it, by the addition of a piece +of machinery to perform the work of the laundress; but when it was +exhibited before his honour the burgomaster, it had the +inconvenience of heating the smoothing-irons red-hot; excepting +which, the experiment was entirely satisfactory. He will become as +rich as a Jew." + +"Well," added Mr. Oldbuck, "if the scoundrel--" + +"Scoundrel, Mr. Oldbuck," said the Preses, "is a most unseemly +expression, and I must call you to order. Mr. Dousterswivel is +only an eccentric genius." + +"Pretty much the same in the Greek," muttered Mr. Oldbuck; and +then said aloud, "and if this eccentric genius has work enough in +singeing the Dutchman's linen, what the devil has he to do here?" + +"Why, he is of opinion, that at the expense of a little mechanism, +some part of the labour of composing these novels might be saved +by the use of steam." There was a murmur of disapprobation at this +proposal, and the words, "Blown up," and "Bread taken out of our +mouths," and "They might as well construct a steam parson," were +whispered. And it was not without repeated calls to order, that +the Preses obtained an opportunity of resuming his address. + +"Order!--Order! Pray, support the chair. Hear, hear, hear the +chair!" + +"Gentlemen, it is to be premised, that this mechanical operation +can only apply to those parts of the narrative which are at +present composed out of commonplaces, such as the love-speeches of +the hero, the description of the heroine's person, the moral +observations of all sorts, and the distribution of happiness at +the conclusion of the piece. Mr. Dousterswivel has sent me some +drawings, which go far to show, that by placing the words and +phrases technically employed on these subjects, in a sort of +framework, like that of the Sage of Laputa, and changing them by +such a mechanical process as that by which weavers of damask alter +their patterns, many new and happy combinations cannot fail to +occur, while the author, tired of pumping his own brains, may have +an agreeable relaxation in the use of his fingers." + +"I speak for information, Mr. Preses," said the Rev. Mr. Lawrence +Templeton; "but I am inclined to suppose the late publication of +Walladmor to have been the work of Dousterswivel, by the help of +the steam-engine." [Footnote: A Romance, by the Author of +Waverley, having been expected about this time at the great +commercial mart of literature, the Fair of Leipsic, an ingenious +gentleman of Germany, finding that none such appeared, was so kind +as to supply its place with a work, in three volumes, called +Walladmor, to which he prefixed the Christian and surname at full +length. The character of this work is given with tolerable +fairness in the text. ] + +"For shame, Mr. Templeton," said the Preses; "there are good +things in Walladmor, I assure you, had the writer known any thing +about the country in which he laid the scene." + +"Or had he had the wit, like some of ourselves, to lay the scene +in such a remote or distant country that nobody should be able to +back-speer [Footnote: Scottish for cross-examine him.] him," said +Mr. Oldbuck. + +"Why, as to that," said the Preses, "you must consider the thing +was got up for the German market, where folks are no better judges +of Welsh manners than of Welsh crw." [Footnote: The ale of the +ancient British is called crw in their native language.] + +"I make it my prayer that this be not found the fault of our own +next venture," said Dr. Dryasdust, pointing to some books which +lay on the table. "I fear the manners expressed in that +'Betrothed' of ours, will scarce meet the approbation of the +Cymmerodion; I could have wished that Llhuyd had been looked into +--that Powel had been consulted--that Lewis's History had been +quoted, the preliminary dissertations particularly, in order to +give due weight to the work." + +"Weight!" said Captain Clutterbuck; "by my soul, it is heavy +enough already, Doctor." + +"Speak to the chair," said the Preses, rather peevishly. + +"To the chair, then, I say it," said Captain Clutterbuck, "that +'The Betrothed' is heavy enough to break down the chair of John of +Gaunt, or Cador-Edris itself. I must add, however, that, in my +poor mind, 'The Talisman' goes more trippingly off." [Footnote: +This was an opinion universally entertained among the friends of +the author.] + +"It is not for me to speak," said the worthy minister of Saint +Ronan's Well; "but yet I must say, that being so long engaged upon +the Siege of Ptolemais, my work ought to have been brought out, +humble though it be, before any other upon a similar subject at +least." + +"Your Siege, Parson!" said Mr. Oldbuck, with great contempt; "will +you speak of your paltry prose-doings in my presence, whose great +Historical Poem, in twenty books, with notes in proportion, has +been postponed _ad Grcecas Kalendas?_" The Preses, who +appeared to suffer a great deal during this discussion, now spoke +with dignity and determination. "Gentlemen," he said, "this sort +of discussion is highly irregular. There is a question before you, +and to that, gentlemen, I must confine your attention. Priority of +publication, let me remind you, gentlemen, is always referred to +the Committee of Criticism, whose determination on such subjects +is without appeal. I declare I will leave the chair, if any more +extraneous matter be introduced.--And now, gentlemen, that we are +once more in order, I would wish to have some gentleman speak upon +the question, whether, as associated to carry on a joint-stock +trade in fictitious narrative, in prose and verse, we ought not to +be incorporated by Act of Parliament? What say you, gentlemen, to +the proposal? _Vis unita fortior_, is an old and true adage." + +"_Societas mater discordiarum_, is a brocard as ancient and +as veritable," said Oldbuck, who seemed determined, on this +occasion, to be pleased with no proposal that was announced by the +chair. + +"Come, Monkbarns," said the Preses, in his most coaxing manner, +"you have studied the monastic institutions deeply, and know there +must be a union of persons and talents to do any thing +respectable, and attain a due ascendance over the spirit of the +age. _Tres faciunt collegium_--it takes three monks to make a +convent." + +"And nine tailors to make a man," replied Oldbuck, not in the +least softened in his opposition; "a quotation as much to the +purpose as the other." + +"Come, come," said the Preses, "you know the Prince of Orange +said to Mr. Seymour, 'Without an association, we are a rope of +sand.'" + +"I know," replied Oldbuck, "it would have been as seemly that none +of the old leaven had been displayed on this occasion, though you +be the author of a Jacobite novel. I know nothing of the Prince of +Orange after 1688; but I have heard a good deal of the immortal +William the Third." + +"And to the best of my recollection," said Mr. Templeton, +whispering to Oldbuck, "it was Seymour made the remark to the +Prince, not the Princo to Seymour. But this is a specimen of our +friend's accuracy, poor gentleman: He trusts too much to his +memory! of late years--failing fast, sir--breaking up." + +"And breaking down, too," said Mr. Oldbuck. "But what can you +expect of a man too fond of his own hasty and flashy compositions, +to take the assistance of men of reading and of solid parts?" + +"No whispering--no caballing--no private business, gentlemen," +said the unfortunate Preses, who reminded us somewhat of a +Highland drover engaged in gathering and keeping in the straight +road his excursive black cattle. + +"I have not yet heard," he continued, "a single reasonable +objection to applying for the Act of Parliament, of which the +draught lies on the table. You must be aware that the extremes of +rude and of civilized society are, in these our days, on the point +of approaching to each other. In the patriarchal period, a man is +his own weaver, tailor, butcher, shoemaker, and so forth; and, in +the age of Stock-companies, as the present may be called, an +individual may be said, in one sense, to exercise the same +plurality of trades. In fact, a man who has dipt largely into +these speculations, may combine his own expenditure with the +improvement of his own income, just like the ingenious hydraulic +machine, which, by its very waste, raises its own supplies of +water. Such a person buys his bread from his own Baking Company, +his milk and cheese from his own Dairy Company, takes off a new +coat for the benefit of his own Clothing Company, illuminates his +house to advance his own Gas Establishment, and drinks an +additional bottle of wine for the benefit of the General Wine +Importation Company, of which he is himself a member. Every act, +which would otherwise be one of mere extravagance, is, to such a +person, seasoned with the _odor lucri_, and reconciled to +prudence. Even if the price of the article consumed be +extravagant, and the quality indifferent, the person, who is in a +manner his own customer, is only imposed upon for his own benefit. +Nay, if the Joint-stock Company of Undertakers shall unite with +the Medical Faculty, as proposed by the late facetious Doctor G--, +under the firm of Death and the Doctor, the shareholder might +contrive to secure to his heirs a handsome slice of his own death- +bed and funeral expenses. In short, Stock-Companies are the +fashion of the age, and an Incorporating Act will, I think, be +particularly useful in bringing back the body, over whom I have +the honour to preside, to a spirit of subordination, highly +necessary to success in every enterprise where joint wisdom, +talent, and labour, are to be employed. It is with regret that I +state, that, besides several differences amongst yourselves, I +have not myself for some time been treated with that deference +among you which circumstances entitled me to expect." + +"_Hinc illa lachryma_," muttered Mr. Oldbuck. + +"But," continued the Chairman, "I see other gentlemen impatient to +deliver their opinions, and I desire to stand in no man's way. I +therefore--my place in this chair forbidding me to originate the +motion--beg some gentleman may move a committee for revising the +draught of the bill now upon the table, and which has been duly +circulated among those having interest, and take the necessary +measures to bring it before the House early next session." + +There was a short murmur in the meeting, and at length Mr. Oldbuck +again rose. "It seems, sir," he said, addressing the chair, "that +no one present is willing to make the motion you point at. I am +sorry no more qualified person has taken upon him to show any +reasons in the contrair, and that it has fallen on me, as we +Scotsmen say, to bell-the-cat with you; anent whilk phrase, +Pitscottie hath a pleasant jest of the great Earl of Angus--" + +Here a gentleman whispered to the speaker, "Have a care of +Pitscottie" and, Mr. Oldbuck, as if taking the hint, went on. + +"But that's neither here nor there--Well, gentlemen, to be short, +I think it unnecessary to enter into the general reasonings whilk +have this day been delivered, as I may say, _ex cathedra_; +nor will I charge our worthy Preses with an attempt to obtain over +us, _per ambages_, and under colour of an Act of Parliament, +a despotic authority, inconsistent with our freedom. But this I +will say, that times are so much changed above stairs, that +whereas last year you might have obtained an act incorporating a +Stock Company for riddling ashes, you will not be able to procure +one this year for gathering pearls. What signifies, then, wasting +the time of the meeting, by inquiring whether or not we ought to +go in at a door which we know to be bolted and barred in our face, +and in the face of all the companies for fire or air, land or +water, which we have of late seen blighted!" + +Here there was a general clamour, seemingly of approbation, in +which the words might be distinguished, "Needless to think of it"-- +"Money thrown away"--"Lost before the committee," &c. &c. &c. But +above the tumult, the voices of two gentlemen, in different +corners of the room, answered each other clear and loud, like the +blows of the two figures on Saint Dunstan's clock; and although +the Chairman, in much agitation, endeavoured to silence them, his +interruption had only the effect of cutting their words up into +syllables, thus,-- + + _First Voice_. "The Lord Chan--" + _Second Voice_. "The Lord Lau--" + _Chairman_, (loudly.) "Scandalum magnatum!" + _First Voice_. "The Lord Chancel--" + _Second Voice_. "The Lord Lauder--" + _Chairman_, (_louder yet_.) "Breach of Privilege!" + _First Voice_. "The Lord Chancellor--" + _Second Voice_. "My Lord Lauderdale--" + _Chairman_, (_at the highest pitch of his voice_.) + "Called before the House!" + _Both Voices together_. "Will never consent to such a bill." + +A general assent seemed to follow this last proposition, which was +propounded with as much emphasis as could be contributed by the +united clappers of the whole meeting, joined to those of the +voices already mentioned. + +Several persons present seemed to consider the business of the +meeting as ended, and were beginning to handle their hats and +canes, with a view to departure, when the Chairman, who had thrown +himself back in his chair, with an air of manifest mortification +and displeasure, again drew himself up, and commanded attention. +All stopped, though some shrugged their shoulders, as if under the +predominating influence of a _bore_. But the tenor of his +discourse soon excited anxious attention. + +"I perceive, gentlemen," he said, "that you are like the young +birds, who are impatient to leave their mother's nest--take care +your own penfeathers are strong enough to support you; since, as +for my part, I am tired of supporting on my wing such a set of +ungrateful gulls. But it signifies nothing speaking--I will no +longer avail myself of such weak ministers as you--I will discard +you--I will unbeget you, as Sir Anthony Absolute says--I will +leave you and your whole hacked stock in trade--your caverns and +your castles--your modern antiques, and your antiquated moderns-- +your confusion of times, manners, and circumstances--your +properties, as player-folk say of scenery and dresses--the whole +of your exhausted expedients, to the fools who choose to deal with +them. I will vindicate my own fame with my own right hand, without +appealing to such halting assistants, + + 'Whom I have used for sport, rather than need.' + +--I will lay my foundations better than on quicksands--I will rear +my structure of better materials than painted cards; in a word, I +will write HISTORY!" + +There was a tumult of surprise, amid which our reporter detected +the following expressions:--"The devil you will!"--"You, my dear +sir, _you?_"--"The old gentleman forgets that he is the +greatest liar since Sir John Mandeville." + +"Not the worse historian for that," said Oldbuck, "since history, +you know, is half fiction." + +"I'll answer for that half being forthcoming" said the former +speaker; "but for the scantling of truth which is necessary after +all, Lord help us!--Geoffrey of Monmouth will be Lord Clarendon to +him." + +As the confusion began to abate, more than one member of the +meeting was seen to touch his forehead significantly, while +Captain Clutterbuck humm'd + + Be by your friends advised, + Too rash, too hasty, dad, + Maugre your bolts and wise head, + The world will think you mad. + +"The world, and you, gentlemen, may think what you please," said +the Chairman, elevating his voice; "but I intend to write the most +wonderful book which the world ever read--a book in which every +incident shall be incredible, yet strictly true--a work recalling +recollections with which the ears of this generation once tingled, +and which shall be read by our children with an admiration +approaching to incredulity. Such shall be the LIFE OF NAPOLEON +BONAPARTE by the AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY." + +In the general start and exclamation which followed this +annunciation, Mr. Oldbuck dropped his snuff-box; and the Scottish +rappee, which dispersed itself in consequence, had effects upon +the nasal organs of our reporter, ensconced as he was under the +secretary's table, which occasioned his being discovered and +extruded in the illiberal and unhandsome manner we have mentioned, +with threats of farther damage to his nose, ears, and other +portions of his body, on the part especially of Captain +Clutterbuck. Undismayed by these threats, which indeed those of +his profession are accustomed to hold at defiance, our young man +hovered about the door of the tavern, but could only bring us the +farther intelligence, that the meeting had broken up in about a +quarter of an hour after his expulsion, "in much-admired +disorder." + + + + +CHAPTER THE FIRST. + + + Now in these days were hotte wars upon the Marches of Wales. + LEWIS'S _History._ + + +The Chronicles, from which this narrative is extracted, assure us, +that during the long period when the Welsh princes maintained +their independence, the year 1187 was peculiarly marked as +favourable to peace betwixt them and their warlike neighbours, the +Lords Marchers, who inhabited those formidable castles on the +frontiers of the ancient British, on the ruins of which the +traveller gazes with wonder. This was the time when Baldwin, +Archbishop of Canterbury, accompanied by the learned Giraldus de +Barri, afterwards Bishop of Saint David's, preached the Crusade +from castle to castle, from town to town; awakened the inmost +valleys of his native Cambria with the call to arms for recovery +of the Holy Sepulchre; and, while he deprecated the feuds and wars +of Christian men against each other, held out to the martial +spirit of the age a general object of ambition, and a scene of +adventure, where the favour of Heaven, as well as earthy renown, +was to reward the successful champions. + +Yet the British chieftains, among the thousands whom this spirit- +stirring summons called from their native land to a distant and +perilous expedition, had perhaps the best excuse for declining the +summons. The superior skill of the Anglo-Norman knights, who were +engaged in constant inroads on the Welsh frontier, and who were +frequently detaching from it large portions, which they fortified +with castles, thus making good what they had won, was avenged, +indeed, but not compensated, by the furious inroads of the +British, who, like the billows of a retiring tide, rolled on +successively, with noise, fury, and devastation; but, on each +retreat, yielded ground insensibly to their invaders. + +A union among the native princes might have opposed a strong and +permanent barrier to the encroachments of the strangers; but they +were, unhappily, as much at discord among themselves as they were +with the Normans, and were constantly engaged in private war with +each other, of which the common enemy had the sole advantage. + +The invitation to the Crusade promised something at least of +novelty to a nation peculiarly ardent in their temper; and it was +accepted by many, regardless of the consequences which must ensue, +to the country which they left defenceless. Even the most +celebrated enemies of the Saxon and Norman race laid aside their +enmity against the invaders of their country, to enrol themselves +under the banners of the Crusade. + +Amongst these was reckoned Gwenwyn, (or more properly Gwenwynwen, +though we retain the briefer appellative,) a British prince who +continued exercising a precarious sovereignty over such parts of +Powys-Land as had not been subjugated by the Mortimers, Guarines, +Latimers, FitzAlans, and other Norman nobles, who, under various +pretexts, and sometimes contemning all other save the open avowal +of superior force, had severed and appropriated large portions of +that once extensive and independent principality, which, when +Wales was unhappily divided into three parts on the death of +Roderick Mawr, fell to the lot of his youngest son, Mervyn. The +undaunted resolution and stubborn ferocity of Gwenwyn, descendant +of that prince, had long made him beloved among the "Tall men" or +Champions of Wales; and he was enabled, more by the number of +those who served under him, attracted by his reputation, than by +the natural strength of his dilapidated principality, to retaliate +the encroachments of the English by the most wasteful inroads. + +Yet even Gwenwyn on the present occasion seemed to forget his +deeply sworn hatred against his dangerous neighbours. The Torch of +Pengwern (for so Gwenwyn was called, from his frequently laying +the province of Shrewsbury in conflagration) seemed at present to +burn as calmly as a taper in the bower of a lady; and the Wolf of +Plinlimmon, another name with which the bards had graced Gwenwyn, +now slumbered as peacefully as the shepherd's dog on the domestic +hearth. + +But it was not alone the eloquence of Baldwin or of Girald which +had lulled into peace a spirit so restless and fierce. It is true, +their exhortations had done more towards it than Gwenwyn's +followers had thought possible. The Archbishop had induced the +British Chief to break bread, and to mingle in silvan sports, with +his nearest, and hitherto one of his most determined enemies, the +old Norman warrior Sir Raymond Berenger, who, sometimes beaten, +sometimes victorious, but never subdued, had, in spite of +Gwenwyn's hottest incursions, maintained his Castle of Garde +Doloureuse, upon the marches of Wales; a place strong by nature, +and well fortified by art, which the Welsh prince had found it +impossible to conquer, either by open force or by stratagem, and +which, remaining with a strong garrison in his rear, often checked +his incursions, by rendering his retreat precarious. On this +account, Gwenwyn of Powys-Land had an hundred times vowed the +death of Raymond Berenger, and the demolition of his castle; but +the policy of the sagacious old warrior, and his long experience +in all warlike practice, were such as, with the aid of his more +powerful countrymen, enabled him to defy the attempts of his fiery +neighbour. If there was a man, therefore, throughout England, whom +Gwenwyn hated more than another, it was Raymond Berenger; and yet +the good Archbishop Baldwin could prevail on the Welsh prince to +meet him as a friend and ally in the cause of the Cross. He even +invited Raymond to the autumn festivities of his Welsh palace, +where the old knight, in all honourable courtesy, feasted and +hunted for more than a week in the dominions of his hereditary +foe. + +To requite this hospitality, Raymond invited the Prince of Powys, +with a chosen but limited train, during the ensuing Christmas, to +the Garde Doloureuse, which some antiquaries have endeavoured to +identify with the Castle of Colune, on the river of the same name. +But the length of time, and some geographical difficulties, throw +doubts upon this ingenious conjecture. + +As the Welshman crossed the drawbridge, he was observed by his +faithful bard to shudder with involuntary emotion; nor did +Cadwallon, experienced as he was in life, and well acquainted with +the character of his master, make any doubt that he was at that +moment strongly urged by the apparent opportunity, to seize upon +the strong fortress which had been so long the object of his +cupidity, even at the expense of violating his good faith. + +Dreading lest the struggle of his master's conscience and his +ambition should terminate unfavourably for his fame, the bard +arrested his attention by whispering in their native language, +that "the teeth which bite hardest are those which are out of +sight;" and Gwenwyn looking around him, became aware that, though, +only unarmed squires and pages appeared in the courtyard, yet the +towers and battlements connecting them were garnished with archers +and men-at-arms. + +They proceeded to the banquet, at which Gwenwyn, for the first +time, beheld Eveline Berenger, the sole child of the Norman +castellane, the inheritor of his domains and of his supposed +wealth, aged only sixteen, and the most beautiful damsel upon the +Welsh marches. Many a spear had already been shivered in +maintenance of her charms; and the gallant Hugo de Lacy, Constable +of Chester, one of the most redoubted warriors of the time, had +laid at Eveline's feet the prize which his chivalry had gained in +a great tournament held near that ancient town. Gwenwyn considered +these triumphs as so many additional recommendations to Eveline; +her beauty was incontestable, and she was heiress of the fortress +which he so much longed to possess, and which he began now to +think might be acquired by means more smooth than those with which +he was in the use of working out his will. + +Again, the hatred which subsisted between the British and their +Saxon and Norman invaders; his long and ill-extinguished feud with +this very Raymond Berenger; a general recollection that alliances +between the Welsh and English had rarely been happy; and a +consciousness that the measure which he meditated would be +unpopular among his followers, and appear a dereliction of the +systematic principles on which he had hitherto acted, restrained +him from speaking his wishes to Raymond or his daughter. The idea +of the rejection of his suit did not for a moment occur to him; he +was convinced he had but to speak his wishes, and that the +daughter of a Norman, castellane, whose rank or power were not of +the highest order among the nobles of the frontiers, must be +delighted and honoured by a proposal for allying his family with +that of the sovereign of a hundred mountains. + +There was indeed another objection, which in later times would +have been of considerable weight--Gwenwyn was already married. But +Brengwain was a childless bride; sovereigns (and among sovereigns +the Welsh prince ranked himself) marry for lineage, and the Pope +was not likely to be scrupulous, where the question was to oblige +a prince who had assumed the Cross with such ready zeal, even +although, in fact, his thoughts had been much more on the Garde +Doloureuse than on Jerusalem. In the meanwhile, if Raymond +Berenger (as was suspected) was not liberal enough in his opinions +to permit Eveline to hold the temporary rank of concubine, which +the manners of Wales warranted Gwenwyn to offer as an interim, +arrangement, he had only to wait for a few months, and sue for a +divorce through the Bishop of Saint David's, or some other +intercessor at the Court of Rome. + +Agitating these thoughts in his mind, Gwenwyn prolonged his +residence at the Castle of Berenger, from Christmas till +Twelfthday; and endured the presence of the Norman cavaliers who +resorted to Raymond's festal halls, although, regarding +themselves, in virtue of their rank of knighthood, equal to the +most potent sovereigns, they made small account of the long +descent of the Welsh prince, who, in their eyes, was but the chief +of a semibarbarous province; while he, on his part, considered +them little better than a sort of privileged robbers, and with the +utmost difficulty restrained himself from manifesting his open +hatred, when he beheld them careering in the exercises of +chivalry, the habitual use of which rendered them such formidable +enemies to his country. At length, the term of feasting was ended, +and knight and squire departed from the castle, which once more +assumed the aspect of a solitary and guarded frontier fort. + +But the Prince of Powys-Land, while pursuing his sports on his own +mountains and valleys, found that even the abundance of the game, +as well as his release from the society of the Norman chivalry, +who affected to treat him as an equal, profited him nothing so +long as the light and beautiful form of Eveline, on her white +palfrey, was banished from the train of sportsmen. In short, he +hesitated no longer, but took into his confidence his chaplain, an +able and sagacious man, whose pride was flattered by his patron's +communication, and who, besides, saw in the proposed scheme some +contingent advantages for himself and his order. By his counsel, +the proceedings for Gwenwyn's divorce were prosecuted under +favourable auspices, and the unfortunate Brengwain was removed to +a nunnery, which perhaps she found a more cheerful habitation than +the lonely retreat in which she had led a neglected life, ever +since Gwenwyn had despaired of her bed being blessed with issue. +Father Einion also dealt with the chiefs and elders of the land, +and represented to them the advantage which in future wars they +were certain to obtain by the possession of the Garde Doloureuse, +which had for more than a century covered and protected a +considerable tract of country, rendered their advance difficult, +and their retreat perilous, and, in a word, prevented their +carrying their incursions as far as the gates of Shrewsbury. As +for the union with the Saxon damsel, the fetters which it was to +form might not (the good father hinted) be found more permanent +than those which had bound Gwenwyn to her predecessor, Brengwain. + +These arguments, mingled with others adapted to the views and +wishes of different individuals, were so prevailing, that the +chaplain in the course of a few weeks was able to report to his +princely patron, that this proposed match would meet with no +opposition from the elders and nobles of his dominions. A golden +bracelet, six ounces in weight, was the instant reward of the +priest's dexterity in negotiation, and he was appointed by Gwenwyn +to commit to paper those proposals, which he doubted not were to +throw the Castle of Garde Doloureuse, notwithstanding its +melancholy name, into an ecstasy of joy. With some difficulty the +chaplain prevailed on his patron to say nothing in this letter +upon his temporary plan of concubinage, which he wisely judged +might be considered as an affront both by Eveline and her father. +The matter of the divorce he represented as almost entirely +settled, and wound up his letter with a moral application, in +which were many allusions to Vashti, Esther, and Ahasuerus. + +Having despatched this letter by a swift and trusty messenger, the +British prince opened in all solemnity the feast of Easter, which +had come round during the course of these external and internal +negotiations. + +Upon the approaching Holy-tide, to propitiate the minds of his +subjects and vassals, they were invited in large numbers to +partake of a princely festivity at Castell-Coch, or the Red- +Castle, as it was then called, since better known by the name of +Powys-Castle, and in latter times the princely seat of the Duke of +Beaufort. The architectural magnificence of this noble residence +is of a much later period than that of Gwenwyn, whose palace, at +the time we speak of, was a low, long-roofed edifice of red stone, +whence the castle derived its name; while a ditch and palisade +were, in addition to the commanding situation, its most important +defences. + + + + +CHAPTER THE SECOND + + + In Madoc's tent the clarion sounds, + With rapid clangor hurried far; + Each hill and dale the note rebounds, + But when return the sons of war? + Thou, born of stern Necessity, + Dull Peace! the valley yields to thee, + And owns thy melancholy sway. + WELSH POEM. + + +The feasts of the ancient British princes usually exhibited all +the rude splendour and liberal indulgence of mountain hospitality, +and Gwenwyn was, on the present occasion, anxious to purchase +popularity by even an unusual display of profusion; for he was +sensible that the alliance which he meditated might indeed be +tolerated, but could not be approved, by his subjects and +followers. + +The following incident, trifling in itself, confirmed his +apprehensions. Passing one evening, when it was become nearly +dark, by the open window of a guard-room, usually occupied by some +few of his most celebrated soldiers, who relieved each other in +watching his palace, he heard Morgan, a man distinguished for +strength, courage, and ferocity, say to the companion with whom he +was sitting by the watch-fire, "Gwenwyn is turned to a priest, or +a woman! When was it before these last months, that a follower of +his was obliged to gnaw the meat from the bone so closely, as I am +now peeling the morsel which I hold in my hand?" [Footnote: It is +said in Highland tradition, that one of the Macdonalds of the +Isles, who had suffered his broadsword to remain sheathed for some +months after his marriage with a beautiful woman, was stirred to a +sudden and furious expedition against the mainland by hearing +conversation to the above purpose among his bodyguard.] + +"Wait but awhile," replied his comrade, "till the Norman match be +accomplished; and so small will be the prey we shall then drive +from the Saxon churls, that we may be glad to swallow, like hungry +dogs, the very bones themselves." + +Gwenwyn heard no more of their conversation; but this was enough +to alarm his pride as a soldier, and his jealousy as a prince. He +was sensible, that the people over whom he ruled were at once +fickle in their disposition, impatient of long repose, and full of +hatred against their neighbours; and he almost dreaded the +consequences of the inactivity to which a long truce might reduce +them. The risk was now incurred, however; and to display even more +than his wonted splendour and liberality, seemed the best way of +reconciling the wavering affections of his subjects. + +A Norman would have despised the barbarous magnificence of an +entertainment, consisting of kine and sheep roasted whole, of +goat's flesh and deer's flesh seethed in the skins of the animals +themselves; for the Normans piqued themselves on the quality +rather than the quantity of their food, and, eating rather +delicately than largely, ridiculed the coarser taste of the +Britons, although the last were in their banquets much more +moderate than were the Saxons; nor would the oceans of _Crw_ +and hydromel, which overwhelmed the guests like a deluge, have +made up, in their opinion, for the absence of the more elegant and +costly beverage which they had learnt to love in the south of +Europe. Milk, prepared in various ways, was another material of +the British entertainment, which would not have received their +approbation, although a nutriment which, on ordinary occasions, +often supplied the Avant of all others among the ancient +inhabitants, whose country was rich in flocks and herds, but poor +in agricultural produce. + +The banquet was spread in a long low hall, built of rough wood +lined with shingles, having a fire at each end, the smoke of +which, unable to find its way through the imperfect chimneys in +the roof, rolled in cloudy billows above the heads of the +revellers, who sat on low seats, purposely to avoid its stifling +fumes. [Footnote: The Welsh houses, like those of the cognate +tribes in Ireland and in the Highlands of Scotland, were very +imperfectly supplied with chimneys. Hence, in the History of the +Gwydir Family, the striking expression of a Welsh chieftain who, +the house being assaulted and set on fire by his enemies, exhorted +his friends to stand to their defence, saying he had seen as much +smoke in the hall upon a Christmas even.] The mien and appearance +of the company assembled was wild, and, even in their social +hours, almost terrific. Their prince himself had the gigantic port +and fiery eye fitted to sway an unruly people, whose delight was +in the field of battle; and the long mustaches which he and most +of his champions wore, added to the formidable dignity of his +presence. Like most of those present, Gwenwyn was clad in a simple +tunic of white linen cloth, a remnant of the dress which the +Romans had introduced into provincial Britain; and he was +distinguished by the Eudorchawg, or chain of twisted gold links, +with which the Celtic tribes always decorated their chiefs. The +collar, indeed, representing in form the species of links made by +children out of rushes, was common to chieftains of inferior rank, +many of whom bore it in virtue of their birth, or had won it by +military exploits; but a ring of gold, bent around the head, +intermingled with Gwenwyn's hair--for he claimed the rank of one +of three diademed princes of Wales, and his armlets and anklets, +of the same metal, were peculiar to the Prince of Powys, as an +independent sovereign. Two squires of his body, who dedicated +their whole attention to his service, stood at the Prince's back; +and at his feet sat a page, whose duty it was to keep them warm by +chafing and by wrapping them in his mantle. The same right of +sovereignty, which assigned to Gwenwyn his golden crownlet, gave +him a title to the attendance of the foot-bearer, or youth, who +lay on the rushes, and whose duty it was to cherish the Prince's +feet in his lap or bosom. [Footnote: See Madoc for this literal +_foot page's_ office and duties. Mr. Southey's notes inform +us: "The foot-bearer shall hold the feet of the King in his lap, +from the time he reclines at the board till he goes to rest, and +he shall chafe them with a towel; and during all that time shall +watch that no harm befalls the King. He shall eat of the shame +dish from which the King takes his food; he shall light the first +candle before the King." Such are the instructions given for this +part of royal ceremonial in the laws of Howell Dha. It may be +added, that probably upon this Celtic custom was founded one of +those absurd and incredible representations which were propagated +at the time of the French revolution, to stir up the peasants +against their feudal superiors. It was pretended that some feudal +seigneurs asserted their right to kill and disembowel a peasant, +in order to put their own feet within the expiring body, and so +recover them from the chill.] + +Notwithstanding the military disposition of the guests, and the +danger arising from the feuds into which they were divided, few of +the feasters wore any defensive armour, except the light goat-skin +buckler, which hung behind each man's seat. On the other hand, +they were well provided with offensive weapons; for the broad, +sharp, short, two-edged sword was another legacy of the Romans. +Most added a wood-knife or poniard; and there were store of +javelins, darts, bows, and arrows, pikes, halberds, Danish axes, +and Welsh hooks and bills; so, in case of ill-blood arising during +the banquet, there was no lack of weapons to work mischief. + +But although the form of the feast was somewhat disorderly, and +that the revellers were unrestrained by the stricter rules of +good-breeding which the laws of chivalry imposed, the Easter +banquet of Gwenwyn possessed, in the attendance of twelve eminent +bards, one source of the most exalted pleasure, in a much higher +degree than the proud Normans could themselves boast. The latter, +it is true, had their minstrels, a race of men trained to the +profession of poetry, song, and music; but although those arts +were highly honoured, and the individual professors, when they +attained to eminence, were often richly rewarded, and treated with +distinction, the order of minstrels, as such, was held in low +esteem, being composed chiefly of worthless and dissolute +strollers, by whom the art was assumed, in order to escape from +the necessity of labour, and to have the means of pursuing a +wandering and dissipated course of life. Such, in all times, has +been the censure upon the calling of those who dedicate themselves +to the public amusement; among whom those distinguished by +individual excellence are sometimes raised high in the social +circle, while far the more numerous professors, who only reach +mediocrity, are sunk into the lower scale. But such was not the +case with the order of bards in Wales, who, succeeding to the +dignity of the Druids, under whom they had originally formed a +subordinate fraternity, had many immunities, were held in the +highest reverence and esteem, and exercised much influence with +their countrymen. Their power over the public mind even rivalled +that of the priests themselves, to whom indeed they bore some +resemblance; for they never wore arms, were initiated into their +order by secret and mystic solemnities, and homage was rendered to +their _Awen_, or flow of poetic inspiration, as if it had +been indeed marked with a divine character. Thus possessed of +power and consequence, the bards were not unwilling to exercise +their privileges, and sometimes, in doing so, their manners +frequently savoured of caprice. + +This was perhaps the case with Cadwallon, the chief bard of +Gwenwyn, and who, as such, was expected to have poured forth the +tide of song in the banqueting-hall of his prince. But neither the +anxious and breathless expectation of the assembled chiefs and +champions--neither the dead silence which stilled the roaring +hall, when his harp was reverently placed before him by his +attendant--nor even the commands or entreaties of the Prince +himself--could extract from Cadwallon more than a short and +interrupted prelude upon the instrument, the notes of which +arranged themselves into an air inexpressibly mournful, and died +away in silence. The Prince frowned darkly on the bard, who was +himself far too deeply lost in gloomy thought, to offer any +apology, or even to observe his displeasure. Again he touched a +few wild notes, and, raising his looks upward, seemed to be on the +very point of bursting forth into a tide of song similar to those +with which this master of his art was wont to enchant his hearers. +But the effort was in vain--he declared that his right hand was +withered, and pushed the instrument from him. + +A murmur went round the company, and Gwenwyn read in their aspects +that they received the unusual silence of Cadwallon on this high +occasion as a bad omen. He called hastily on a young and ambitious +bard, named Caradoc of Menwygent, whose rising fame was likely +soon to vie with the established reputation of Cadwallon, and +summoned him to sing something which might command the applause of +his sovereign and the gratitude of the company. The young man was +ambitious, and understood the arts of a courtier. He commenced a +poem, in which, although under a feigned name, he drew such a +poetic picture of Eveline Berenger, that Gwenwyn was enraptured; +and while all who had seen the beautiful original at once +recognized the resemblance, the eyes of the Prince confessed at +once his passion for the subject, and his admiration of the poet. +The figures of Celtic poetry, in themselves highly imaginative, +were scarce sufficient for the enthusiasm of the ambitious bard, +rising in his tone as he perceived the feelings which he was +exciting. The praises of the Prince mingled with those of the +Norman beauty; and "as a lion," said the poet, "can only be led by +the hand of a chaste and beautiful maiden, so a chief can only +acknowledge the empire of the most virtuous, the most lovely of +her sex. Who asks of the noonday sun, in what quarter of the world +he was born? and who shall ask of such charms as hers, to what +country they owe their birth?" + +Enthusiasts in pleasure as in war, and possessed of imaginations +which answered readily to the summons of their poets, the Welsh +chiefs and leaders united in acclamations of applause; and the +song of the bard went farther to render popular the intended +alliance of the Prince, than had all the graver arguments of his +priestly precursor in the same topic. + +Gwenwyn himself, in a transport of delight, tore off the golden +bracelets which he wore, to bestow them upon a bard whose song had +produced an effect so desirable; and said, as he looked at the +silent and sullen Cadwallon, "The silent harp was never strung +with golden wires." + +"Prince," answered the bard, whose pride was at least equal to +that of Gwenwyn himself, "you pervert the proverb of Taliessin--it +is the flattering harp which never lacked golden strings." + +Gwenwyn, turning sternly towards him, was about to make an angry +answer, when the sudden appearance of Jorworth, the messenger whom +he had despatched to Raymond Berenger, arrested his purpose. This +rude envoy entered the hall bare-legged, excepting the sandals of +goat-skin which he wore, and having on his shoulder a cloak of the +same, and a short javelin in his hand. The dust on his garments, +and the flush on his brow, showed with what hasty zeal his errand +had been executed. Gwenwyn demanded of him eagerly, "What news +from Garde Doloureuse, Jorworth ap Jevan?" + +"I bear them in my bosom," said the son of Jevan; and, with much +reverence, he delivered to the Prince a packet, bound with silk, +and sealed with the impression of a swan, the ancient cognizance +of the House of Berenger. Himself ignorant of writing or reading, +Gwenwyn, in anxious haste, delivered the letter to Cadwallon, who +usually acted as secretary when the chaplain was not in presence, +as chanced then to be the case. Cadwallon, looking at the letter, +said briefly, "I read no Latin. Ill betide the Norman, who writes +to a Prince of Powys in other language than that of Britain! and +well was the hour, when that noble tongue alone was spoken from +Tintadgel to Cairleoil!" + +Gwenwyn only replied to him with an angry glance. + +"Where is Father Einion?" said the impatient Prince. + +"He assists in the church," replied one of his attendants, "for it +is the feast of Saint--" + +"Were it the feast of Saint David," said Gwenwyn, "and were the +pyx between his hands, he must come hither to me instantly!" + +One of the chief henchmen sprung off, to command his attendance, +and, in the meantime, Gwenwyn eyed the letter containing the +secret of his fate, but which it required an interpreter to read, +with such eagerness and anxiety, that Caradoc, elated by his +former success, threw in a few notes to divert, if possible, the +tenor of his patron's thoughts during the interval. A light and +lively air, touched by a hand which seemed to hesitate, like the +submissive voice of an inferior, fearing to interrupt his master's +meditations, introduced a stanza or two applicable to the subject. + +"And what though thou, O scroll," he said, apostrophizing the +letter, which lay on the table before his master, "dost speak with +the tongue of the stranger? Hath not the cuckoo a harsh note, and +yet she tells us of green buds and springing flowers? What if thy +language be that of the stoled priest, is it not the same which +binds hearts and hands together at the altar? And what though thou +delayest to render up thy treasures, are not all pleasures most +sweet, when enhanced by expectation? What were the chase, if the +deer dropped at our feet the instant he started from the cover--or +what value were there in the love of the maiden, were it yielded +without coy delay?" + +The song of the bard was here broken short by the entrance of the +priest, who, hasty in obeying the summons of his impatient master, +had not tarried to lay aside even the stole, which he had worn in +the holy service; and many of the elders thought it was no good +omen, that, so habited, a priest should appear in a festive +assembly, and amid profane minstrelsy. + +The priest opened the letter of the Norman Baron, and, struck with +surprise at the contents, lifted his eyes in silence. + +"Read it!" exclaimed the fierce Gwenwyn. + +"So please you," replied the more prudent chaplain, "a smaller +company were a fitter audience." + +"Read it aloud!" repeated the Prince, in a still higher tone; +"there sit none here who respect not the honour of their prince, +or who deserve not his confidence. Read it, I say, aloud! and by +Saint David, if Raymond the Norman hath dared--" + +He stopped short, and, reclining on his seat, composed himself to +an attitude of attention; but it was easy for his followers to +fill up the breach in his exclamation which prudence had +recommended. + +The voice of the chaplain was low and ill-assured as he read the +following epistle:-- + + "Raymond Berenger, the noble Norman Knight, Seneschal + of the Garde Doloureuse, to Gwenwyn, Prince of Powys, + (may peace be between them!) sendeth health. + +"Your letter, craving the hand of our daughter Eveline Berenger, +was safely delivered to us by your servant, Jorworth ap Jevan, and +we thank you heartily for the good meaning therein expressed to us +and to ours. But, considering within ourselves the difference of +blood and lineage, with the impediments and causes of offence +which have often arisen in like cases, we hold it fitter to match +our daughter among our own people; and this by no case in +disparagement of you, but solely for the weal of you, of +ourselves, and of our mutual dependants, who will be the more safe +from the risk of quarrel betwixt us, that we essay not to draw the +bonds of our intimacy more close than beseemeth. The sheep and the +goats feed together in peace on the same pastures, but they mingle +not in blood, or race, the one with the other. Moreover, our +daughter Eveline hath been sought in marriage by a noble and +potent Lord of the Marches, Hugo de Lacy, the Constable of +Chester, to which most honourable suit we have returned a +favourable answer. It is therefore impossible that we should in +this matter grant to you the boon you seek; nevertheless, you +shall at all times find us, in other matters, willing to pleasure +you; and hereunto we call God, and Our Lady, and Saint Mary +Magdalene of Quatford, to witness; to whose keeping we heartily +recommend you. + +"Written by our command, at our Castle of Garde Doloureuse, within +the Marches of Wales, by a reverend priest, Father Aldrovand, a +black monk of the house of Wenlock; and to which we have appended +our seal, upon the eve of the blessed martyr Saint Alphegius, to +whom be honour and glory!" + +The voice of Father Einion faltered, and the scroll which he held +in his hand trembled in his grasp, as he arrived at the conclusion +of this epistle; for well he knew that insults more slight than +Gwenwyn would hold the least word it contained, were sure to put +every drop of his British blood into the most vehement commotion. +Nor did it fail to do so. The Prince had gradually drawn himself +up from the posture of repose in which he had prepared to listen +to the epistle; and when it concluded, he sprung on his feet like +a startled lion, spurning from him as he rose the foot-bearer, who +rolled at some distance on the floor. "Priest," he said, "hast +thou read that accursed scroll fairly? for if thou hast added, or +diminished, one word, or one letter, I will have thine eyes so +handled, that thou shalt never read letter more!" + +The monk replied, trembling, (for he was well aware that the +sacerdotal character was not uniformly respected among the +irascible Welshmen,) "By the oath of my order, mighty prince, I +have read word for word, and letter for letter." + +There was a momentary pause, while the fury of Gwenwyn, at this +unexpected affront, offered to him in the presence of all his +Uckelwyr, (_i.e._ noble chiefs, literally men of high +stature,) seemed too big for utterance, when the silence was +broken by a few notes from the hitherto mute harp of Cadwallon. +The Prince looked round at first with displeasure at the +interruption, for he was himself about to speak; but when he +beheld the bard bending over his harp with an air of inspiration, +and blending together, with unexampled skill, the wildest and most +exalted tones of his art, he himself became an auditor instead of +a speaker, and Cadwallon, not the Prince, seemed to become the +central point of the assembly, on whom all eyes were bent, and to +whom each ear was turned with breathless eagerness, as if his +strains were the responses of an oracle. + +"We wed not with the stranger,"--thus burst the song from the lips +of the poet. "Vortigern wedded with the stranger; thence came the +first wo upon Britain, and a sword upon her nobles, and a +thunderbolt upon her palace. We wed not with the enslaved Saxon-- +the free and princely stag seeks not for his bride the heifer +whose neck the yoke hath worn. We wed not with the rapacious +Norman--the noble hound scorns to seek a mate from the herd of +ravening wolves. When was it heard that the Cymry, the descendants +of Brute, the true children of the soil of fair Britain, were +plundered, oppressed, bereft of their birthright, and insulted +even in their last retreats?--when, but since they stretched their +hand in friendship to the stranger, and clasped to their bosoms +the daughter of the Saxon? Which of the two is feared?--the empty +water-course of summer, or the channel of the headlong winter +torrent?--A maiden smiles at the summer-shrunk brook while she +crosses it, but a barbed horse and his rider will fear to stem the +wintry flood. Men of Mathravel and Powys, be the dreaded flood of +winter--Gwenwyn, son of Cyverliock!--may thy plume be the topmost +of its waves!" + +All thoughts of peace, thoughts which, in themselves, were foreign +to the hearts of the warlike British, passed before the song of +Cadwallon like dust before the whirlwind, and the unanimous shout +of the assembly declared for instant war. The Prince himself spoke +not, but, looking proudly around him, flung abroad his arm, as one +who cheers his followers to the attack. + +The priest, had he dared, might have reminded Gwenwyn, that the +Cross which he had assumed on his shoulder, had consecrated his +arm to the Holy War, and precluded his engaging in any civil +strife. But the task was too dangerous for Father Einion's +courage, and he shrunk from the hall to the seclusion of his own +convent. Caradoc, whose brief hour of popularity was past, also +retired, with humbled and dejected looks, and not without a glance +of indignation at his triumphant rival, who had so judiciously +reserved his display of art for the theme of war, that was ever +most popular with the audience. + +The chiefs resumed their seats no longer for the purpose of +festivity, but to fix, in the hasty manner customary among these +prompt warriors, where they were to assemble their forces, which, +upon such occasions, comprehended almost all the able-bodied males +of the country,--for all, excepting the priests and the bards, +were soldiers,--and to settle the order of their descent upon the +devoted marches, where they proposed to signalize, by general +ravage, their sense of the insult which their Prince had received, +by the rejection of his suit. + + + + +CHAPTER THE THIRD + + + The sands are number'd, that make up my life; + Here must I stay, and here my life must end. + HENRY VI. ACT. I. SCENE IV. + + +When Raymond Berenger had despatched his mission to the Prince of +Powys, he was not unsuspicious, though altogether fearless, of the +result. He sent messengers to the several dependants who held +their fiefs by the tenure of _cornage_, and warned them to be +on the alert, that he might receive instant notice of the approach +of the enemy. These vassals, as is well known, occupied the +numerous towers, which, like so many falcon-nests, had been built +on the points most convenient to defend the frontiers, and were +bound to give signal of any incursion of the Welsh, by blowing +their horns; which sounds, answered from tower to tower, and from +station to station, gave the alarm for general defence. But +although Raymond considered these precautions as necessary, from +the fickle and precarious temper of his neighbours, and for +maintaining his own credit as a soldier, he was far from believing +the danger to be imminent; for the preparations of the Welsh; +though on a much more extensive scale than had lately been usual, +were as secret, as their resolution of war had been suddenly +adopted. + +It was upon the second morning after the memorable festival of +Castell-Coch, that the tempest broke on the Norman frontier. At +first a single, long, and keen bugle-blast, announced the approach +of the enemy; presently the signals of alarm were echoed from +every castle and tower on the borders of Shropshire, where every +place of habitation was then a fortress. Beacons were lighted upon +crags and eminences, the bells were rung backward in the churches +and towns, while the general and earnest summons to arms announced +an extremity of danger which even the inhabitants of that +unsettled country had not hitherto experienced. + +Amid this general alarm, Raymond Berenger, having busied himself +in arranging his few but gallant followers and adherents, and +taken such modes of procuring intelligence of the enemy's strength +and motions as were in his power, at length ascended the watch- +tower of the castle, to observe in person the country around, +already obscured in several places by the clouds of smoke, which +announced the progress and the ravages of the invaders. He was +speedily joined by his favourite squire, to whom the unusual +heaviness of his master's looks was cause of much surprise, for +till now they had ever been blithest at the hour of battle. The +squire held in his hand his master's helmet, for Sir Raymond was +all armed, saving the head. + +"Dennis Morolt," said the veteran soldier, "are our vassals and +liegemen all mustered?" + +"All, noble sir, but the Flemings, who are not yet come in." + +"The lazy hounds, why tarry they?" said Raymond. "Ill policy it is +to plant such sluggish natures in our borders. They are like their +own steers, fitter to tug a plough than for aught that requires +mettle." + +"With your favour," said Dennis, "the knaves can do good service +notwithstanding. That Wilkin Flammock of the Green can strike like +the hammers of his own fulling-mill." + +"He will fight, I believe, when he cannot help it," said Raymond; +"but he has no stomach for such exercise, and is as slow and as +stubborn as a mule." + +"And therefore are his countrymen rightly matched against the +Welsh," replied Dennis Morolt, "that their solid and unyielding +temper may be a fit foil to the fiery and headlong dispositions of +our dangerous neighbours, just as restless waves are best opposed +by steadfast rocks.--Hark, sir, I hear Wilkin Flammock's step +ascending the turret-stair, as deliberately as ever monk mounted +to matins." + +Step by step the heavy sound approached, until the form of the +huge and substantial Fleming at length issued from the turret-door +to the platform where they "were conversing. Wilkin Flammock was +cased in bright armour, of unusual weight and thickness, and +cleaned with exceeding care, which marked the neatness of his +nation; but, contrary to the custom of the Normans, entirely +plain, and void of carving, gilding, or any sort of ornament. The +basenet, or steel-cap, had no visor, and left exposed a broad +countenance, with heavy and unpliable features, which announced +the character of his temper and understanding. He carried in his +hand a heavy mace. + +"So, Sir Fleming," said the Castellane, "you are in no hurry, +methinks, to repair to the rendezvous." + +"So please you," answered the Fleming, "we were compelled to +tarry, that we might load our wains with our bales of cloth and +other property." + +"Ha! wains?--how many wains have you brought with you?" + +"Six, noble sir," replied Wilkin. + +"And how many men?" demanded Raymond Berenger. + +"Twelve, valiant sir," answered Flammock. + +"Only two men to each baggage-wain? I wonder you would thus +encumber yourself," said Berenger. + +"Under your favour, sir, once more," replied Wilkin, "it is only +the value which I and my comrades set upon our goods, that +inclines us to defend them with our bodies; and, had we been +obliged to leave our cloth to the plundering clutches of yonder +vagabonds, I should have seen small policy in stopping here to +give them the opportunity of adding murder to robbery. Gloucester +should have been my first halting-place." + +The Norman knight gazed on the Flemish artisan, for such was +Wilkin Flammock, with such a mixture of surprise and contempt, as +excluded indignation. "I have heard much," he said, "but this is +the first time that I have heard one with a beard on his lip +avouch himself a coward." + +"Nor do you hear it now," answered Flammock, with the utmost +composure--"I am always ready to fight for life and property; and +my coming to this country, where they are both in constant danger, +shows that I care not much how often I do so. But a sound skin is +better than a slashed one, for all that." + +"Well," said Raymond Berenger, "fight after thine own fashion, so +thou wilt but fight stoutly with that long body of thine. We are +like to have need for all that we can do.--Saw you aught of these +rascaille Welsh?--have they Gwenwyn's banner amongst them?" + +"I saw it with the white dragon displayed," replied Wilkin; "I +could not but know it, since it was broidered in my own loom." + +Raymond looked so grave upon this intelligence, that Dennis +Morolt, unwilling the Fleming should mark it, thought it necessary +to withdraw his attention. "I can tell thee," he said to +Flammock, "that when the Constable of Chester joins us with his +lances, you shall see your handiwork, the dragon, fly faster +homeward than ever flew the shuttle which wove it." + +"It must fly before the Constable comes up, Dennis Morolt," said +Berenger, "else it will fly triumphant over all our bodies." + +"In the name of God and the Holy Virgin!" said Dennis, "what may +you mean, Sir Knight?--not that we should fight with the Welsh +before the Constable joins us?"--He paused, and then, well +understanding the firm, yet melancholy glance, with which his +master answered the question, he proceeded, with yet more vehement +earnestness--"You cannot mean it--you cannot intend that we shall +quit this castle, which we have so often made good against them, +and contend in the field with two hundred men against thousands?-- +Think better of it, my beloved master, and let not the rashness of +your old age blemish that character for wisdom and warlike skill, +which your former life has so nobly won." + +"I am not angry with you for blaming my purpose, Dennis," answered +the Norman, "for I know you do it in love to me and mine. But, +Dennis Morolt, this thing must be--we must fight the Welshmen +within these three hours, or the name of Raymond Berenger must be +blotted from the genealogy of his house." + +"And so we will--we will fight them, my noble master," said the +esquire; "fear not cold counsel from Dennis Morolt, where battle +is the theme. But we will fight them under the walls of the +castle, with honest Wilkin Flammock and his crossbows on the wall +to protect our flanks, and afford us some balance against the +numerous odds." + +"Not so, Dennis," answered his master--"In the open field we must +fight them, or thy master must rank but as a mansworn knight. +Know, that when I feasted yonder wily savage in my halls at +Christmas, and when the wine was flowing fastest around, Gwenwyn +threw out some praises of the fastness and strength of my castle, +in a manner which intimated it was these advantages alone that had +secured me in former wars from defeat and captivity. I spoke in +answer, when I had far better been silent; for what availed my +idle boast, but as a fetter to bind me to a deed next to madness? +If, I said, a prince of the Cymry shall come in hostile fashion +before the Garde Doloureuse, let him pitch his standard down in +yonder plain by the bridge, and, by the word of a good knight, and +the faith of a Christian man, Raymond Berenger will meet him as +willingly, be he many or be he few, as ever Welshman was met +withal." + +Dennis was struck speechless when he heard of a promise so rash, +so fatal; but his was not the casuistry which could release his +master from the fetters with which his unwary confidence had bound +him. It was otherwise with Wilkin Flammock. He stared--he almost +laughed, notwithstanding the reverence due to the Castellane, and +his own insensibility to risible emotions. "And is this all?" he +said. "If your honour had pledged yourself to pay one hundred +florins to a Jew or to a Lombard, no doubt you must have kept the +day, or forfeited your pledge; but surely one day is as good as +another to keep a promise for fighting, and that day is best in +which the promiser is strongest. But indeed, after all, what +signifies any promise over a wine flagon?" + +"It signifies as much as a promise can do that is given elsewhere. +The promiser," said Berenger, "escapes not the sin of a word- +breaker, because he hath been a drunken braggart." + +"For the sin," said Dennis, "sure I am, that rather than you +should do such a deed of dole, the Abbot of Glastonbury would +absolve you for a florin." + +"But what shall wipe out the shame?" demanded Berenger--"how shall +I dare to show myself again among press of knights, who have +broken my word of battle pledged, for fear of a Welshman and his +naked savages? No! Dennis Morolt, speak on it no more. Be it for +weal or wo, we fight them to-day, and upon yonder fair field." + +"It may be," said Flammock, "that Gwenwyn may have forgotten the +promise, and so fail to appear to claim it in the appointed space; +for, as we heard, your wines of France flooded his Welsh brains +deeply." + +"He again alluded to it on the morning after it was made," said +the Castellane--"trust me, he will not forget what will give him +such a chance of removing me from his path for ever." + +As he spoke, they observed that large clouds of dust, which had +been seen at different points of the landscape, were drawing down +towards the opposite side of the river, over which an ancient +bridge extended itself to the appointed place of combat. They were +at no loss to conjecture the cause. It was evident that Gwenwyn, +recalling the parties who had been engaged in partial devastation, +was bending with his whole forces towards the bridge and the plain +beyond it. + +"Let us rush down and secure the pass," said Dennis Morolt; "we +may debate with them with some equality by the advantage of +defending the bridge. Your word bound you to the plain as to a +field of battle, but it did not oblige you to forego such +advantages as the passage of the bridge would afford. Our men, our +horses, are ready--let our bowmen secure the banks, and my life on +the issue." + +"When I promised to meet him in yonder field, I meant," replied +Raymond Berenger, "to give the Welshman the full advantage of +equality of ground. I so meant it--he so understood it; and what +avails keeping my word in the letter, if I break it in the sense? +We move not till the last Welshman has crossed the bridge; and +then--" + +"And then," said Dennis, "we move to our death!--May God forgive +our sins!--But--" + +"But what?" said Berenger; "something sticks in thy mind that +should have vent." + +"My young lady, your daughter the Lady Eveline--" + +"I have told her what is to be. She shall remain in the castle, +where I will leave a few chosen veterans, with you, Dennis, to +command them. In twenty-four hours the siege will be relieved, and +we have defended it longer with a slighter garrison. Then to her +aunt, the Abbess of the Benedictine sisters--thou, Dennis, wilt +see her placed there in honour and safety, and my sister will care +for her future provision as her wisdom shall determine." "_I_ +leave you at this pinch!" said Dennis Morolt, bursting into tears +--"_I_ shut myself up within walls, when my master rides to +his last of battles!--_I_ become esquire to a lady, even +though it be to the Lady Eveline, when he lies dead under his +shield!--Raymond Berenger, is it for this that I have buckled thy +armour so often?" + +The tears gushed from the old warrior's eyes as fast as from those +of a girl who weeps for her lover; and Raymond, taking him kindly +by the hand, said, in a soothing tone, "Do not think, my good old +servant, that, were honour to be won, I would drive thee from my +side. But this is a wild and an inconsiderate deed, to which my +fate or my folly has bound me. I die to save my name from +dishonour; but, alas! I must leave on my memory the charge of +imprudence." + +"Let me share your imprudence, my dearest master," said Dennis +Morolt, earnestly--"the poor esquire has no business to be thought +wiser than his master. In many a battle my valour derived some +little fame from partaking in thee deeds which won your renown-- +deny me not the right to share in that blame which your temerity +may incur; let them not say, that so rash was his action, even his +old esquire was not permitted to partake in it! I am part of +yourself--it is murder to every man whom you take with you, if you +leave me behind." + +"Dennis," said Berenger, "you make me feel yet more bitterly the +folly I have yielded to. I. would grant you the boon you ask, sad +as it is--But my daughter--" + +"Sir Knight," said the Fleming, who had listened to this dialogue +with somewhat less than his usual apathy, "it is not my purpose +this day to leave this castle; now, if you could trust my troth to +do what a plain man may for the protection of my Lady Eveline--" + +"How, sirrah!" said Raymond; "you do not propose to leave the +castle? Who gives you right to propose or dispose in the case, +until my pleasure is known?" + +"I shall be sorry to have words with you, Sir Castellane," said +the imperturbable Fleming;--"but I hold here, in this township, +certain mills, tenements, cloth-yards, and so forth, for which I +am to pay man-service in defending this Castle of the Garde +Doloureuse, and in this I am ready. But if you call on me to march +from hence, leaving the same castle defenceless, and to offer up +my life in a battle which you acknowledge to be desperate, I must +needs say my tenure binds me not to obey thee." + +"Base mechanic!" said Morolt, laying his hand on his dagger, and +menacing the Fleming. + +But Raymond Berenger interfered with voice and hand--"Harm him +not, Morolt, and blame him not. He hath a sense of duty, though +not after our manner; and he and his knaves will fight best behind +stone walls. They are taught also, these Flemings, by the practice +of their own country, the attack and defence of walled cities and +fortresses, and are especially skilful in working of mangonels and +military engines. There are several of his countrymen in the +castle, besides his own followers. These I propose to leave +behind; and I think they will obey him more readily than any but +thyself--how think'st thou? Thou wouldst not, I know, from a +miscontrued point of honour, or a blind love to me, leave this +important place, and the safety of Eveline, in doubtful hands?" + +"Wilkin Flammock is but a Flemish clown, noble sir," answered +Dennis, as much overjoyed as if he had obtained some important +advantage; "but I must needs say he is as stout and true as any +whom you might trust; and, besides, his own shrewdness will teach +him there is more to be gained by defending such a castle as this, +than by yielding it to strangers, who may not be likely to keep +the terms of surrender, however fairly they may offer them." + +"It is fixed then," said Raymond Berenger. "Then, Dennis, thou +shalt go with me, and he shall remain behind.--Wilkin Flammock," +he said, addressing the Fleming solemnly, "I speak not to thee the +language of chivalry, of which thou knowest nothing; but, as thou +art an honest man, and a true Christian, I conjure thee to stand +to the defence of this castle. Let no promise of the enemy draw +thee to any base composition--no threat to any surrender. Relief +must speedily arrive, if you fulfil your trust to me and to my +daughter, Hugo de Lacy will reward you richly--if you fail, he +will punish you severely." + +"Sir Knight," said Flammock, "I am pleased you have put your trust +so far in a plain handicraftsman. For the Welsh, I am come from a +land for which we were compelled--yearly compelled--to struggle +with the sea; and they who can deal with the waves in a tempest, +need not fear an undisciplined people in their fury. Your daughter +shall be as dear to me as mine own; and in that faith you may +prick forth--if, indeed, you will not still, like a wiser man, +shut gate, down portcullis, up drawbridge, and let your archers +and my crossbows man the wall, and tell the knaves you are not the +fool that they take you for." + +"Good fellow, that must not be," said the Knight. "I hear my +daughter's voice," he added hastily; "I would not again meet her, +again to part from her. To Heaven's keeping I commit thee, honest +Fleming.--Follow me, Dennis Morolt." + +The old Castellane descended the stair of the southern tower +hastily, just as his daughter Eveline ascended that of the eastern +turret, to throw herself at his feet once more. She was followed +by the Father Aldrovand, chaplain of her father; by an old and +almost invalid huntsman, whose more active services in the field +and the chase had been for some time chiefly limited to the +superintendence of the Knight's kennels, and the charge especially +of his more favourite hounds; and by Rose Flammock, the daughter +of Wilkin, a blue-eyed Flemish maiden, round, plump, and shy as a +partridge, who had been for some time permitted to keep company +with the high-born Norman damsel, in a doubtful station, betwixt +that of an humble friend and a superior domestic. Eveline rushed +upon the battlements, her hair dishevelled, and her eyes drowned +in tears, and eagerly demanded of the Fleming where her father +was. + +Flammock made a clumsy reverence, and attempted some answer; but +his voice seemed to fail him. He turned his back upon Eveline +without ceremony, and totally disregarding the anxious inquiries +of the huntsman and the chaplain, he said hastily to his daughter, +in his own language, "Mad work! mad work! look to the poor maiden, +Roschen--_Der alter Herr ist verruckt_." [Footnote: The old +lord is frantic.] + +Without farther speech he descended the stairs, and never paused +till he reached the buttery. Here he called like a lion for the +controller of these regions, by the various names of Kammerer, +Keller-master, and so forth, to which the old Reinold, an ancient +Norman esquire, answered not, until the Netherlander fortunately +recollected his Anglo-Norman title of butler. This, his regular +name of office, was the key to the buttery-hatch, and the old man +instantly appeared, with his gray cassock and high rolled hose, a +ponderous bunch of keys suspended by a silver chain to his broad +leathern girdle, which, in consideration of the emergency of the +time, he had thought it right to balance on the left side with a +huge falchion, which seemed much too weighty for his old arm to +wield. + +"What is your will," he said, "Master Flammock? or what are your +commands, since it is my lord's pleasure that they shall be laws +to me for a time?" + +"Only a cup of wine, good Meister Keller-master--butler, I mean." + +"I am glad you remember the name of mine office," said Reinold, +with some of the petty resentment of a spoiled domestic, who +thinks that a stranger has been irregularly put in command over +him. + +"A flagon of Rhenish, if you love me," answered the Fleming, "for +my heart is low and poor within me, and I must needs drink of the +best." + +"And drink you shall," said Reinold, "if drink will give you the +courage which perhaps you want."--He descended to the secret +crypts, of which he was the guardian, and returned with a silver +flagon, which might contain about a quart.--"Here is such wine," +said Reinold, "as thou hast seldom tasted," and was about to pour +it out into a cup. + +"Nay, the flagon--the flagon, friend Reinold; I love a deep and +solemn draught when the business is weighty," said Wilkin. He +seized on the flagon accordingly, and drinking a preparatory +mouthful, paused as if to estimate the strength and flavour of the +generous liquor. Apparently he was pleased with both, for he +nodded in approbation to the butler; and, raising the flagon to +his mouth once more, he slowly and gradually brought the bottom of +the vessel parallel with the roof of the apartment, without +suffering one drop of the contents to escape him. + +"That hath savour, Herr Keller-master," said he, while he was +recovering his breath by intervals, after so long a suspense of +respiration; "but, may Heaven forgive you for thinking it the best +I have ever tasted! You little know the cellars of Ghent and of +Ypres." + +"And I care not for them," said Reinold; "those of gentle Norman +blood hold the wines of Gascony and France, generous, light, and +cordial, worth all the acid potations of the Rhine and the +Neckar." + +"All is matter of taste," said the Fleming; "but hark ye--Is there +much of this wine in the cellar?" + +"Methought but now it pleased not your dainty palate?" said +Reinold. + +"Nay, nay, my friend," said Wilkin, "I said it had savour--I may +have drunk better--but this is right good, where better may not be +had.--Again, how much of it hast thou?" + +"The whole butt, man," answered the butler; "I have broached a +fresh piece for you." + +"Good," replied Flammock; "get the quart-pot of Christian measure; +heave the cask up into this same buttery, and let each soldier of +this castle be served with such a cup as I have here swallowed. I +feel it hath done me much good--my heart was sinking when I saw +the black smoke arising from mine own fulling-mills yonder. Let +each man, I say, have a full quart-pot--men defend not castles on +thin liquors." + +"I must do as you will, good Wilkin Flammock," said the butler; +"but I pray you, remember all men are not alike. That which will +but warm your Flemish hearts, will put wildfire into Norman +brains; and what may only encourage your countrymen to man the +walls, will make ours fly over the battlements." + +"Well, you know the conditions of your own countrymen best; serve +out to them what wines and measure you list--only let each Fleming +have a solemn quart of Rhenish.--But what will you do for the +English churls, of whom there are a right many left with us?" + +The old butler paused, and rubbed his brow.--"There will be a +strange waste of liquor," he said; "and yet I may not deny that +the emergency may defend the expenditure. But for the English, +they are, as you wot, a mixed breed, having much of your German +sullenness, together with a plentiful touch of the hot blood of +yonder Welsh furies. Light wines stir them not; strong heavy +draughts would madden them. What think you of ale, an +invigorating, strengthening liquor, that warms the heart without +inflaming the brain?" + +"Ale!" said the Fleming.--"Hum--ha--is your ale mighty, Sir +Butler?--is it double ale?" + +"Do you doubt my skill?" said the butler.--"March and October have +witnessed me ever as they came round, for thirty years, deal with +the best barley in Shropshire.--You shall judge." + +He filled, from a large hogshead in the corner of the buttery, the +flagon which the Fleming had just emptied, and which was no sooner +replenished than Wilkin again drained it to the bottom. + +"Good ware," he said, "Master Butler, strong stinging ware. The +English churls will fight like devils upon it--let them be +furnished with mighty ale along with their beef and brown bread. +And now, having given you your charge, Master Reinold, it is time +I should look after mine own." + +Wilkin Flammock left the buttery, and with a mien and judgment +alike undisturbed by the deep potations in which he had so +recently indulged, undisturbed also by the various rumours +concerning what was passing without doors, he made the round of +the castle and its outworks, mustered the little garrison, and +assigned to each their posts, reserving to his own countrymen the +management of the arblasts, or crossbows, and of the military +engines which were contrived by the proud Normans, and were +incomprehensible to the ignorant English, or, more properly, +Anglo-Saxons, of the period, but which his more adroit countrymen +managed with great address. The jealousies entertained by both the +Normans and English, at being placed under the temporary command +of a Fleming, gradually yielded to the military and mechanical +skill which he displayed, as well as to a sense of the emergency, +which became greater with every moment. + + + + +CHAPTER THE FOURTH + + + Beside yon brigg out ower yon burn, + Where the water bickereth bright and sheen, + Shall many a falling courser spurn, + And knights shall die in battle keen. + PROPHECY OF THOMAS THE RHYMER. + + +The daughter of Raymond Berenger, with the attendants whom we have +mentioned, continued to remain upon the battlements of the Garde +Doloureuse, in spite of the exhortations of the priest that she +would rather await the issue of this terrible interval in the +chapel, and amid the rites of religion. He perceived, at length, +that she was incapable, from grief and fear, of attending to, or +understanding his advice; and, sitting down beside her, while the +huntsman and Rose Flammock stood by, endeavoured to suggest such +comfort as perhaps he scarcely felt himself. + +"This is but a sally of your noble father's," he said; "and though +it may seem it is made on great hazard, yet who ever questioned +Sir Raymond Berenger's policy of wars?--He is close and secret in +his purposes. I guess right well he had not marched out as he +proposes, unless he knew that the noble Earl of Arundel, or the +mighty Constable of Chester, were close at hand." + +"Think you this assuredly, good father?--Go, Raoul--go, my dearest +Rose--look to the east--see if you cannot descry banners or clouds +of dust.--Listen--listen--hear you no trumpets from that quarter?" + +"Alas! my lady," said Raoul, "the thunder of heaven could scarce +be heard amid the howling of yonder Welsh wolves." Eveline turned +as he spoke, and looking towards the bridge, she beheld an +appalling spectacle. The river, whose stream washes on three sides +the base of the proud eminence on which the castle is situated, +curves away from the fortress and its corresponding village on the +west, and the hill sinks downward to an extensive plain, so +extremely level as to indicate its alluvial origin. Lower down, at +the extremity of this plain, where the banks again close on the +river, were situated the manufacturing houses of the stout +Flemings, which were now burning in a bright flame. The bridge, a +high, narrow combination of arches of unequal size, was about half +a mile distant from the castle, in the very centre of the plain. +The river itself ran in a deep rocky channel, was often +unfordable, and at all times difficult of passage, giving +considerable advantage to the defenders of the castle, who had +spent on other occasions many a dear drop of blood to defend the +pass, which Raymond Berenger's fantastic scruples now induced him +to abandon. The Welshmen, seizing the opportunity with the avidity +with which men grasp an unexpected benefit, were fast crowding +over the high and steep arches, while new bands, collecting from +different points upon the farther bank, increased the continued +stream of warriors, who, passing leisurely and uninterrupted, +formed their line of battle on the plain opposite to the castle. + +At first Father Aldrovand viewed their motions without anxiety, +nay, with the scornful smile of one who observes an enemy in the +act of falling into the snare spread for them by superior skill. +Raymond Berenger, with his little body of infantry and cavalry, +were drawn up on the easy hill which is betwixt the castle and the +plain, ascending from the former towards the fortress; and it +seemed clear to the Dominican, who had not entirely forgotten in +the cloister his ancient military experience, that it was the +Knight's purpose to attack the disordered enemy when a certain +number had crossed the river, and the others were partly on the +farther side, and partly engaged in the slow and perilous +manoeuvre of effecting their passage. But when large bodies of the +white-mantled Welshmen were permitted without interruption to take +such order on the plain as their habits of fighting recommended, +the monk's countenance, though he still endeavoured to speak +encouragement to the terrified Eveline, assumed a different and an +anxious expression; and his acquired habits of resignation +contended strenuously with his ancient military ardour. "Be +patient," he said, "my daughter, and be of good comfort; thine +eyes shall behold the dismay of yonder barbarous enemy. Let but a +minute elapse, and thou shalt see them scattered like dust.--Saint +George! they will surely cry thy name now, or never!" + +The monk's beads passed meanwhile rapidly through his hands, but +many an expression of military impatience mingled itself with his +orisons. He could not conceive the cause why each successive +throng of mountaineers, led under their different banners, and +headed by their respective chieftains, was permitted, without +interruption, to pass the difficult defile, and extend themselves +in battle array on the near side of the bridge, while the English, +or rather Anglo-Norman cavalry, remained stationary, without so +much as laying their lances in rest. There remained, as he +thought, but one hope--one only rational explanation of this +unaccountable inactivity--this voluntary surrender of every +advantage of ground, when that of numbers was so tremendously on +the side of the enemy. Father Aldrovand concluded, that the +succours of the Constable of Chester, and other Lord Marchers, +must be in the immediate vicinity, and that the Welsh were only +permitted to pass the river without opposition, that their retreat +might be the more effectually cut off, and their defeat, with a +deep river in their rear, rendered the more signally calamitous. +But even while he clung to this hope, the monk's heart sunk within +him, as, looking in every direction from which the expected +succours might arrive, he could neither see nor hear the slightest +token which announced their approach. In a frame of mind +approaching more nearly to despair than to hope, the old man +continued alternately to tell his beads, to gaze anxiously around, +and to address some words of consolation in broken phrases to the +young lady, until the general shout of the Welsh, ringing from the +bank of the river to the battlements of the castle, warned him, in +a note of exultation, that the very last of the British had +defiled through the pass, and that their whole formidable array +stood prompt for action upon the hither side of the river. + +This thrilling and astounding clamour, to which each Welshman lent +his voice with all the energy of defiance, thirst of battle, and +hope of conquest, was at length answered by the blast of the +Norman trumpets,--the first sign of activity which had been +exhibited on the part of Raymond Berenger. But cheerily as they +rang, the trumpets, in comparison of the shout which they +answered, sounded like the silver whistle of the stout boatswain +amid the howling of the tempest. + +At the same moment when the trumpets were blown, Berenger gave +signal to the archers to discharge their arrows, and the men-at- +arms to advance under a hail-storm of shafts, javelins, and +stones, shot, darted, and slung by the Welsh against their steel- +clad assailants. + +The veterans of Raymond, on the other hand, stimulated by so many +victorious recollections, confident in the talents of their +accomplished leader, and undismayed even by the desperation of +their circumstances, charged the mass of the Welshmen with their +usual determined valour. It was a gallant sight to see this little +body of cavalry advance to the onset, their plumes floating above +their helmets, their lances in rest, and projecting six feet in +length before the breasts of their coursers; their shields hanging +from their necks, that their left hands might have freedom to +guide their horses; and the whole body rushing on with an equal +front, and a momentum of speed which increased with every second. +Such an onset might have startled naked men, (for such were the +Welsh, in respect of the mail-sheathed Normans,) but it brought no +terrors to the ancient British, who had long made it their boast +that they exposed their bare bosoms and white tunics to the lances +and swords of the men-at-arms, with as much confidence as if they +had been born invulnerable. It was not indeed in their power to +withstand the weight of the first shock, which, breaking their +ranks, densely as they were arranged, carried the barbed horses +into the very centre of their host, and well-nigh up to the fatal +standard, to which Raymond Berenger, bound by his fatal vow, had +that day conceded so much vantage-ground. But they yielded like +the billows, which give way, indeed, to the gallant ship, but only +to assail her sides, and to unite in her wake. With wild and +horrible clamours, they closed their tumultuous ranks around +Berenger and his devoted followers, and a deadly scene of strife +ensued. + +The best warriors of Wales had on this occasion joined the +standard of Gwenwyn; the arrows of the men of Gwentland, whose +skill in archery almost equalled that of the Normans themselves, +rattled on the helmets of the men-at-arms; and the spears of the +people of Deheubarth, renowned for the sharpness and temper of +their steel heads, were employed against the cuirasses not without +fatal effect, notwithstanding the protection, which these afforded +to the rider. + +It was in vain that the archery belonging to Raymond's little +band, stout yeomen, who, for the most part, held possession by +military tenure, exhausted their quivers on the broad mark +afforded them by the Welsh army. It is probable, that every shaft +carried a Welshman's life on its point; yet, to have afforded +important relief to the cavalry, now closely and inextricably +engaged, the slaughter ought to have been twenty-fold at least. +Meantime, the Welsh, galled by this incessant discharge, answered +it by volleys from their own archers, whose numbers made some +amends for their inferiority, and who were supported by numerous +bodies of darters and slingers. So that the Norman archers, who +had more than once attempted to descend from their position to +operate a diversion in favour of Raymond and his devoted band, +were now so closely engaged in front, as obliged them to abandon +all thoughts of such a movement. + +Meanwhile, that chivalrous leader, who from the first had hoped +for no more than an honourable death, laboured with all his power +to render his fate signal, by involving in it that of the Welsh +Prince, the author of the war. He cautiously avoided the +expenditure of his strength by hewing among the British; but, with +the shock of his managed horse, repelled the numbers who pressed +on him, and leaving the plebeians to the swords of his companions, +shouted his war-cry, and made his way towards the fatal standard +of Gwenwyn, beside which, discharging at once the duties of a +skilful leader and a brave soldier, the Prince had stationed +himself. Raymond's experience of the Welsh disposition, subject +equally to the highest flood, and most sudden ebb of passion, gave +him some hope that a successful attack upon this point, followed +by the death or capture of the Prince, and the downfall of his +standard, might even yet strike such a panic, as should change the +fortunes of the day, otherwise so nearly desperate. The veteran, +therefore, animated his comrades to the charge by voice and +example; and, in spite of all opposition, forced his way gradually +onward. But Gwenwyn in person, surrounded by his best and noblest +champions, offered a defence as obstinate as the assault was +intrepid. In vain they were borne to the earth by the barbed +horses, or hewed down by the invulnerable riders. Wounded and +overthrown, the Britons continued their resistance, clung round +the legs of the Norman steeds, and cumbered their advance while +their brethren, thrusting with pikes, proved every joint and +crevice of the plate and mail, or grappling with the men-at-arms, +strove to pull them from their horses by main force, or beat them +down with their bills and Welsh hooks. And wo betide those who +were by these various means dismounted, for the long sharp knives +worn by the Welsh, soon pierced them with a hundred wounds, and +were then only merciful when the first inflicted was deadly. + +The combat was at this point, and had raged for more than half an +hour, when Berenger, having forced his horse within two spears' +length of the British standard, he and Gwenwyn were so near to +each other as to exchange tokens of mutual defiance. + +"Turn thee, Wolf of Wales," said Berenger, "and abide, if thou +darest, one blow of a good knight's sword! Raymond Berenger spits +at thee and thy banner." + +"False Norman churl!" said Gwenwyn, swinging around his head a +mace of prodigious weight, and already clottered with blood, "thy +iron headpiece shall ill protect thy lying tongue, with which I +will this day feed the ravens." + +Raymond made no farther answer, but pushed his horse towards the +Prince, who advanced to meet him with equal readiness. But ere +they came within reach of each other's weapons, a Welsh champion, +devoted like the Romans who opposed the elephants of Pyrrhus, +finding that the armour of Raymond's horse resisted the repeated +thrusts of his spear, threw himself under the animal, and stabbed +him in the belly with his long knife. The noble horse reared and +fell, crushing with his weight the Briton who had wounded him; the +helmet of the rider burst its clasps in the fall, and rolled away +from his head, giving to view his noble features and gray hairs. +He made more than one effort to extricate himself from the fallen +horse, but ere he could succeed, received his death-wound from the +hand of Gwenwyn, who hesitated not to strike him down with his +mace while in the act of extricating himself. + +During the whole of this bloody day, Dennis Morolt's horse had +kept pace for pace, and his arm blow for blow, with his master's. +It seemed as if two different bodies had been moving under one act +of volition. He husbanded his strength, or put it forth, exactly +as he observed his knight did, and was close by his side, when he +made the last deadly effort. At that fatal moment, when Raymond +Berenger rushed on the chief, the brave squire forced his way up +to the standard, and, grasping it firmly, struggled for possession +of it with a gigantic Briton, to whose care it had been confided, +and who now exerted his utmost strength to defend it. But even +while engaged in this mortal struggle, the eye of Morolt scarcely +left his master; and when he saw him fall, his own force seemed by +sympathy to abandon him, and the British champion had no longer +any trouble in laying him prostrate among the slain. + +The victory of the British was now complete. Upon the fall of +their leader, the followers of Raymond Berenger would willingly +have fled or surrendered. But the first was impossible, so closely +had they been enveloped; and in the cruel wars maintained by the +Welsh upon their frontiers, quarter to the vanquished was out of +question. A few of the men-at-arms were lucky enough to +disentangle themselves from the tumult, and, not even attempting +to enter the castle, fled in various directions, to carry their +own fears among the inhabitants of the marches, by announcing the +loss of the battle, and the fate of the far-renowned Raymond +Berenger. + +The archers of the fallen leader, as they had never been so deeply +involved in the combat, which had been chiefly maintained by the +cavalry, became now, in their turn, the sole object of the enemy's +attack. But when they saw the multitude come roaring towards them +like a sea, with all its waves, they abandoned the bank which they +had hitherto bravely defended, and began a regular retreat to the +castle in the best order which they could, as the only remaining +means of securing their lives. A few of their lightfooted enemies +attempted to intercept them, during the execution of this prudent +manoeuvre, by outstripping them in their march, and throwing +themselves into the hollow way which led to the castle, to oppose +their retreat. But the coolness of the English archers, accustomed +to extremities of every kind, supported them on the present +occasion. While a part of them, armed with glaives and bills, +dislodged the Welsh from the hollow way, the others, facing in the +opposite direction, and parted into divisions, which alternately +halted and retreated, maintained such a countenance as to check +pursuit, and exchange a severe discharge of missiles with the +Welsh, by which both parties were considerable sufferers. + +At length, having left more than two-thirds of their brave +companions behind them, the yeomanry attained the point, which, +being commanded by arrows and engines from the battlements, might +be considered as that of comparative safety. A volley of large +stones, and square-headed bolts of great size and thickness, +effectually stopped the farther progress of the pursuit, and those +who had led it drew back their desultory forces to the plain, +where, with shouts of jubilee and exultation, their countrymen +were employed in securing the plunder of the field; while some, +impelled by hatred and revenge, mangled and mutilated the limbs of +the dead Normans, in a manner unworthy of their national cause and +their own courage. The fearful yells with which this dreadful work +was consummated, while it struck horror into the minds of the +slender garrison of the Garde Doloureuse, inspired them at the +same time with the resolution rather to defend the fortress to the +last extremity, than to submit to the mercy of so vengeful an +enemy. [Footnote: This is by no means exaggerated in the text. A +very honourable testimony was given to their valour by King Henry +II., in a letter to the Greek Emperor, Emanuel Commenus. This +prince having desired that an account might be sent him of all +that was remarkable in the island of Great Britain, Henry, in +answer to that request, was pleased to take notice, among other +particulars, of the extraordinary courage and fierceness of the +Welsh, who were not afraid to fight unarmed with enemies armed at +all points, valiantly shedding their blood in the cause of their +country, and purchasing glory at the expense of their lives.] + + + + +CHAPTER THE FIFTH + + + That baron he to his castle fled, + To Barnard Castle then fled he; + The uttermost walls were eathe to win, + The Earls have won them speedilie;- + The uttermost walls were stone and brick; + But though they won them soon anon, + Long ere they won the inmost walls, + For they were hewn in rock of stone. + PERCY'S RELICS OF ANCIENT POETRY. + + +The unhappy fate of the battle was soon evident to the anxious +spectators upon the watch-towers of the Garde Doloureuse, which +name the castle that day too well deserved. With difficulty the +confessor mastered his own emotions to control those of the +females on whom he attended, and who were now joined in their +lamentation by many others--women, children, and infirm old men, +the relatives of those whom they saw engaged in this unavailing +contest. These helpless beings had been admitted to the castle for +security's sake, and they had now thronged to the battlements, +from which Father Aldrovand found difficulty in making them +descend, aware that the sight of them on the towers, that should +have appeared lined with armed men, would be an additional +encouragement to the exertions of the assailants. He urged the +Lady Eveline to set an example to this group of helpless, yet +intractable mourners. + +Preserving, at least endeavouring to preserve, even in the +extremity of grief, that composure which the manners of the times +enjoined--for chivalry had its stoicism as well as philosophy-- +Eveline replied in a voice which she would fain have rendered +firm, and which was tremulous in her despite--"Yes, father, you +say well--here is no longer aught left for maidens to look upon. +Warlike meed and honoured deed sunk when yonder white plume +touched the bloody ground.--Come, maidens, there is no longer +aught left us to see--To mass, to mass--the tourney is over!" + +There was wildness in her tone, and when she rose, with the air of +one who would lead out a procession, she staggered, and would have +fallen, but for the support of the confessor. Hastily wrapping her +head in her mantle, as if ashamed of the agony of grief which she +could not restrain, and of which her sobs and the low moaning +sounds that issued from under the folds enveloping her face, +declared the excess, she suffered Father Aldrovand to conduct her +whither he would. + +"Our gold," he said, "has changed to brass, our silver to dross, +our wisdom, to folly--it is His will, who confounds the counsels +of the wise, and shortens the arm of the mighty. To the chapel--to +the chapel, Lady Eveline; and instead of vain repining, let us +pray to God and the saints to turn away their displeasure, and to +save the feeble remnant from the jaws of the devouring wolf." + +Thus speaking, he half led, half supported Eveline, who was at the +moment almost incapable of thought and action, to the castle- +chapel, where, sinking before the altar, she assumed the attitude +at least of devotion, though her thoughts, despite the pious words +which her tongue faltered out mechanically, were upon the field of +battle, beside the body of her slaughtered parent. The rest of the +mourners imitated their young lady in her devotional posture, and +in the absence of her thoughts. The consciousness that so many of +the garrison had been cut off in Raymond's incautious sally, added +to their sorrows the sense of personal insecurity, which was +exaggerated by the cruelties which were too often exercised by the +enemy, who, in the heat of victory, were accustomed to spare +neither sex nor age. + +The monk, however, assumed among them the tone of authority which +his character warranted, rebuked their wailing and ineffectual +complaints, and having, as he thought, brought them to such a +state of mind as better became their condition, he left them to +their private devotions to indulge his own anxious curiosity by +inquiring into the defences of the castle. Upon the outward walls +he found Wilkin Flammock, who, having done the office of a good +and skilful captain in the mode of managing his artillery, and +beating back, as we have already seen, the advanced guard of the +enemy, was now with his own hand measuring out to his little +garrison no stinted allowance of wine. + +"Have a care, good Wilkin," said the father, "that thou dost not +exceed in this matter. Wine is, thou knowest, like fire and water, +an excellent servant, but a very bad master." + +"It will be long ere it overflow the deep and solid skulls of my +countrymen," said Wilkin Flammock. "Our Flemish courage is like +our Flanders horses--the one needs the spur, and the other must +have a taste of the winepot; but, credit me, father, they are of +an enduring generation, and will not shrink in the washing.--But +indeed, if I were to give the knaves a cup more than enough, it +were not altogether amiss, since they are like to have a platter +the less." + +"How do you mean!" cried the monk, starting; "I trust in the +saints the provisions have been cared for?" + +"Not so well as in your convent, good father," replied Wilkin, +with the same immoveable stolidity of countenance. "We had kept, +as you know, too jolly a Christmas to have a very fat Easter. Yon +Welsh hounds, who helped to eat up our victuals, are now like to +get into our hold for the lack of them." + +"Thou talkest mere folly," answered the monk; "orders were last +evening given by our lord (whose soul God assoilzie!) to fetch in +the necessary supplies from the country around! + +"Ay, but the Welsh were too sharp set to permit us to do that at +our ease this morning, which should have been done weeks and +months since. Our lord deceased, if deceased he be, was one of +those who trusted to the edge of the sword, and even so hath come +of it. Commend me to a crossbow and a well-victualled castle, if I +must needs fight at all.--You look pale, my good father, a cup of +wine will revive you." + +The monk motioned away from him the untasted cup, which Wilkin +pressed him to with clownish civility. "We have now, indeed," he +said, "no refuge, save in prayer!" + +"Most true, good father;" again replied the impassible Fleming; +"pray therefore as much as you will. I will content myself with +fasting, which will come whether I will or no."--At this moment a +horn was heard before the gate.--"Look to the portcullis and the +gate, ye knaves!--What news, Neil Hansen?" + +"A messenger from the Welsh tarries at the Mill-hill, just within +shot of the cross-bows; he has a white flag, and demands +admittance." + +"Admit him not, upon thy life, till we be prepared for him," said +Wilkin. "Bend the bonny mangonel upon the place, and shoot him if +he dare to stir from the spot where he stands till we get all +prepared to receive him," said Flammock in his native language. +"And, Neil, thou houndsfoot, bestir thyself--let every pike, +lance, and pole in the castle be ranged along the battlements, and +pointed through the shot-holes--cut up some tapestry into the +shape of banners, and show them from the highest towers.--Be ready +when I give a signal, to strike _naker_, [Footnote: +_Naker_,--Drum. ] and blow trumpets, if we have any; if not, +some cow-horns--anything for a noise. And hark ye, Neil Hansen, do +you, and four or five of your fellows, go to the armoury and slip +on coats-of-mail; our Netherlandish corslets do not appal them so +much. Then let the Welsh thief be blindfolded and brought in +amongst us--Do you hold up your heads and keep silence--leave me +to deal with him--only have a care there be no English among us." + +The monk, who in his travels had acquired some slight knowledge of +the Flemish language, had well-nigh started when he heard the last +article in Wilkin's instructions to his countryman, but commanded +himself, although a little surprised, both at this suspicious +circumstance, and at the readiness and dexterity with which the +rough-hewn Fleming seemed to adapt his preparations to the rules +of war and of sound policy. + +Wilkin, on his part, was not very certain whether the monk had not +heard and understood more of what he said to his countryman, than +what he had intended. As if to lull asleep any suspicion which +Father Aldrovand might entertain, he repeated to him in English +most of the directions which he had given, adding, "Well, good +father, what think you of it?" + +"Excellent well," answered the father, "and done as if you had +practised war from the cradle, instead of weaving broad-cloth." + +"Nay, spare not your jibes, father," answered Wilkin.--"I know +full well that you English think that Flemings have nought in +their brainpan but sodden beef and cabbage; yet you see there goes +wisdom to weaving of webs." + +"Right, Master Wilkin Flammock," answered the father; "but, good +Fleming, wilt thou tell me what answer thou wilt make to the Welsh +Prince's summons?" + +"Reverend father, first tell me what the summons will be," replied +the Fleming. + +"To surrender this castle upon the instant," answered the monk. +"What will be your reply?" + +"My answer will be, Nay--unless upon good composition." + +"How, Sir Fleming! dare you mention composition and the castle of +the Garde Doloureuse in one sentence?" said the monk. + +"Not if I may do better," answered the Fleming. "But would your +reverence have me dally until the question amongst the garrison +be, whether a plump priest or a fat Fleming will be the better +flesh to furnish their shambles?" + +"Pshaw!" replied Father Aldrovand, "thou canst not mean such +folly. Relief must arrive within twenty-four hours at farthest. +Raymond Berenger expected it for certain within such a space." + +"Raymond Berenger has been deceived this morning in more matters +than one," answered the Fleming. + +"Hark thee, Flanderkin," answered the monk, whose retreat from the +world had not altogether quenched his military habits and +propensities, "I counsel thee to deal uprightly in this matter, as +thou dost regard thine own life; for here are as many English left +alive, notwithstanding the slaughter of to-day, as may well +suffice to fling the Flemish bull-frogs into the castle-ditch, +should they have cause to think thou meanest falsely, in the +keeping of this castle, and the defence of the Lady Eveline." + +"Let not your reverence be moved with unnecessary and idle fears," +replied Wilkin Flammock--"I am castellane in this house, by +command of its lord, and what I hold for the advantage of mine +service, that will I do." + +"But I," said the angry monk, "I am the servant of the Pope--the +chaplain of this castle, with power to bind and unloose. I fear me +thou art no true Christian, Wilkin Flammock, but dost lean to the +heresy of the mountaineers. Thou hast refused to take the blessed +cross--thou hast breakfasted, and drunk both ale and wine, ere +thou hast heard mass. Thou art not to be trusted, man, and I will +not trust thee--I demand to be present at the conference betwixt +thee and the Welshman." + +"It may not be, good father," said Wilkin, with the same smiling, +heavy countenance, which he maintained on all occasions of life, +however urgent. "It is true, as thou sayest, good father, that I +have mine own reasons for not marching quite so far as the gates +of Jericho at present; and lucky I have such reasons, since I had +not else been here to defend the gate of the Garde Doloureuse. It +is also true that I may have been sometimes obliged to visit my +mills earlier than the chaplain was called by his zeal to the +altar, and that my stomach brooks not working ere I break my fast. +But for this, father, I have paid a mulet even to your worshipful +reverence, and methinks since you are pleased to remember the +confession so exactly, you should not forget the penance and the +absolution." + +The monk, in alluding to the secrets of the confessional, had gone +a step beyond what the rules of his order and of the church +permitted. He was baffled by the Fleming's reply, and finding him +unmoved by the charge of heresy, he could only answer, in some +confusion, "You refuse, then, to admit me to the conference with +the Welshman?" + +"Reverend father," said Wilkin, "it altogether respecteth secular +matters. If aught of religious tenor should intervene, you shall +be summoned without delay." + +"I will be there in spite of thee, thou Flemish ox," muttered the +monk to himself, but in a tone not to be heard by the by-standers; +and so speaking he left the battlements. + +Wilkin Flammock, a few minutes afterwards, having first seen that +all was arranged on the battlements, so as to give an imposing +idea of a strength which did not exist, descended to a small +guard-room, betwixt the outer and inner gate, where he was +attended by half-a-dozen of his own people, disguised in the +Norman armour which they had found in the armoury of the castle,-- +their strong, tall, and bulky forms, and motionless postures, +causing them to look rather like trophies of some past age, than +living and existing soldiers. Surrounded by these huge and +inanimate figures, in a little vaulted room which almost excluded +daylight, Flammock received the Welsh envoy, who was led in +blindfolded betwixt two Flemings, yet not so carefully watched but +that they permitted him to have a glimpse of the preparations on +the battlements, which had, in fact, been made chiefly for the +purpose of imposing on him. For the same purpose an occasional +clatter of arms was made without; voices were heard as if officers +were going their rounds; and other sounds of active preparation +seemed to announce that a numerous and regular garrison was +preparing to receive an attack. + +When the bandage was removed from Jorworth's eyes,--for the same +individual who had formerly brought Gwenwyn's offer of alliance, +now bare his summons of surrender,--he looked haughtily around him +and demanded to whom he was to deliver the commands of his master, +the Gwenwyn, son of Cyvelioc, Prince of Powys. + +"His highness," answered Flammock, with his usual smiling +indifference of manner, "must be contented to treat with Wilkin +Flammock of the Fulling-mills, deputed governor of the Garde +Doloureuse." + +"Thou deputed governor!" exclaimed Jorworth; "thou?--a Low-country +weaver!--it is impossible. Low as they are, the English Crogan +[Footnote: This is a somewhat contumelious epithet applied by the +Welsh to the English.] cannot have sunk to a point so low, as to +be commanded by _thee!_--these men seem English, to them I +will deliver my message." + +"You may if you will," replied Wilkin, "but if they return you any +answer save by signs, you shall call me _schelm_." + +"Is this true?" said the Welsh envoy, looking towards the men-at- +arms, as they seemed, by whom Flammock was attended; "are you +really come to this pass? I thought that the mere having been born +on British earth, though the children of spoilers and invaders, +had inspired you with too much pride to brook the yoke of a base +mechanic. Or, if you are not courageous, should you not be +cautious?--Well speaks the proverb, Wo to him that will trust a +stranger! Still mute--still silent?--answer me by word or sign--Do +you really call and acknowledge him as your leader?" + +The men in armour with one accord nodded their casques in reply to +Jorworth's question, and then remained motionless as before. + +The Welshman, with the acute genius of his country, suspected +there was something in this which he could not entirely +comprehend, but, preparing himself to be upon his guard, he +proceeded as follows: "Be it as it may, I care not who hears the +message of my sovereign, since it brings pardon and mercy to the +inhabitants of this Castell an Carrig, [Footnote: Castle of the +Craig.] which you have called the Garde Doloureuse, to cover the +usurpation of the territory by the change of the name. Upon +surrender of the same to the Prince of Powys, with its +dependencies, and with the arms which it contains, and with the +maiden Eveline Berenger, all within the castle shall depart +unmolested, and have safe-conduct wheresoever they will, to go +beyond the marches of the Cymry." + +"And how, if we obey not this summons?" said the imperturbable +Wilkin Flammock. + +"Then shall your portion be with Raymond Berenger, your late +leader," replied Jorworth, his eyes, while he was speaking, +glancing with the vindictive ferocity which dictated his answer. +"So many strangers as be here amongst ye, so many bodies to the +ravens, so many heads to the gibbet!--It is long since the kites +have had such a banquet of lurdane Flemings and false Saxons." + +"Friend Jorworth," said Wilkin, "if such be thy only message, bear +mine answer back to thy master, That wise men trust not to the +words of others that safety, which they can secure by their own +deeds. We have walls high and strong enough, deep moats, and +plenty of munition, both longbow and arblast. We will keep the +castle, trusting the castle will keep us, till God shall send us +succour." + +"Do not peril your lives on such an issue," said the Welsh +emissary, changing his language to the Flemish, which, from +occasional communication with those of that nation in +Pembrokeshire, he spoke fluently, and which he now adopted, as if +to conceal the purport of his discourse from the supposed English +in the apartment. "Hark thee hither," he proceeded, "good Fleming. +Knowest thou not that he in whom is your trust, the Constable De +Lacy, hath bound himself by his vow to engage in no quarrel till +he crosses the sea, and cannot come to your aid without perjury? +He and the other Lords Marchers have drawn their forces far +northward to join the host of Crusaders. What will it avail you to +put us to the toil and trouble of a long siege, when you can hope +no rescue?" + +"And what will it avail me more," said Wilkin, answering in his +native language and looking at the Welshman fixedly, yet with a +countenance from which all expression seemed studiously banished, +and which exhibited, upon features otherwise tolerable, a +remarkable compound of dulness and simplicity, "what will it avail +me whether your trouble be great or small?" + +"Come, friend Flammock," said the Welshman, "frame not thyself +more unapprehensive than nature hath formed thee. The glen is +dark, but a sunbeam can light the side of it. Thy utmost efforts +cannot prevent the fall of this castle; but thou mayst hasten it, +and the doing so shall avail thee much." Thus speaking, he drew +close up to Wilkin, and sunk his voice to an insinuating whisper, +as he said, "Never did the withdrawing of a bar, or the raising of +a portcullis, bring such vantage to Fleming as they may to thee, +if thou wilt." + +"I only know," said Wilkin, "that the drawing the one, and the +dropping the other, have cost me my whole worldly subsistence." + +"Fleming, it shall be compensated to thee with an overflowing +measure. The liberality of Gwenwyn is as the summer rain." + +"My whole mills and buildings have been this morning burnt to the +earth--" + +"Thou shalt have a thousand marks of silver, man, in the place of +thy goods," said the Welshman; but the Fleming continued, without +seeming to hear him, to number up his losses. + +"My lands are forayed, twenty kine driven off, and--" + +"Threescore shall replace them," interrupted Jorworth, "chosen +from the most bright-skinned of the spoil." + +"But my daughter--but the Lady Eveline"--said the Fleming, with +some slight change in his monotonous voice, which seemed to +express doubt and perplexity--"You are cruel conquerors, and--" + +"To those who resist us we are fearful," said Jorworth, "but not +to such as shall deserve clemency by surrender. Gwenwyn will +forget the contumelies of Raymond, and raise his daughter to high +honour among the daughters of the Cymry. For thine own child, form +but a wish for her advantage, and it shall be fulfilled to the +uttermost. Now, Fleming, we understand each other." + +"I understand thee, at least," said Flammock. + +"And I thee, I trust?" said Jorworth, bending his keen, wild blue +eye on the stolid and unexpressive face of the Netherlander, like +an eager student who seeks to discover some hidden and mysterious +meaning in a passage of a classic author, the direct import of +which seems trite and trivial. + +"You believe that you understand me," said Wilkin; "but here lies +the difficulty,--which of us shall trust the other?" + +"Darest thou ask?" answered Jorworth. "Is it for thee, or such as +thee, to express doubt of the purposes of the Prince of Powys?" + +"I know them not, good Jorworth, but through thee; and well I wot +thou art not one who will let thy traffic miscarry for want of aid +from the breath of thy mouth." + +"As I am a Christian man," said Jorworth, hurrying asseveration on +asseveration--"by the soul of my father--by the faith of my +mother--by the black rood of--" + +"Stop, good Jorworth--thou heapest thine oaths too thickly on each +other, for me to value them to the right estimate," said Flammock; +"that which is so lightly pledged, is sometimes not thought worth +redeeming. Some part of the promised guerdon in hand the whilst, +were worth an hundred oaths." + +"Thou suspicious churl, darest thou doubt my word?" + +"No--by no means," answered Wilkin;--"nevertheless, I will believe +thy deed more readily." + +"To the point, Fleming," said Jorworth--"What wouldst thou have of +me?" + +"Let me have some present sight of the money thou didst promise, +and I will think of the rest of thy proposal." + +"Base silver-broker!" answered Jorworth, "thinkest thou the Prince +of Powys has as many money-bags, as the merchants of thy land of +sale and barter? He gathers treasures by his conquests, as the +waterspout sucks up water by its strength, but it is to disperse +them among his followers, as the cloudy column restores its +contents to earth and ocean. The silver that I promise thee has +yet to be gathered out of the Saxon chests--nay, the casket of +Berenger himself must be ransacked to make up the tale." + +"Methinks I could do that myself, (having full power in the +castle,) and so save you a labour," said the Fleming. + +"True," answered Jorworth, "but it would be at the expense of a +cord and a noose, whether the Welsh took the place or the Normans +relieved it--the one would expect their booty entire--the other +their countryman's treasures to be delivered undiminished." + +"I may not gainsay that," said the Fleming. "Well, say I were +content to trust you thus far, why not return my cattle, which are +in your own hands, and at your disposal? If you do not pleasure me +in something beforehand, what can I expect of you afterwards?" + +"I would pleasure you in a greater matter," answered the equally +suspicious Welshman. "But what would it avail thee to have thy +cattle within the fortress? They can be better cared for on the +plain beneath." + +"In faith," replied the Fleming, "thou sayst truth--they will be +but a trouble to us here, where we have so many already provided +for the use of the garrison.--And yet, when I consider it more +closely, we have enough of forage to maintain all we have, and +more. Now, my cattle are of a peculiar stock, brought from the +rich pastures of Flanders, and I desire to have them restored ere +your axes and Welsh hooks be busy with their hides." + +"You shall have them this night, hide and horn," said Jorworth; +"it is but a small earnest of a great boon." + +"Thanks to your munificence," said the Fleming; "I am a simple- +minded man, and bound my wishes to the recovery of my own +property." + +"Thou wilt be ready, then, to deliver the castle?" said Jorworth. + +"Of that we will talk farther to-morrow," said Wilkin Flammock; +"if these English and Normans should suspect such a purpose, we +should have wild work--they must be fully dispersed ere I can hold +farther communication on the subject. Meanwhile, I pray thee, +depart suddenly, and as if offended with the tenor of our +discourse." + +"Yet would I fain know something more fixed and absolute," said +Jorworth. + +"Impossible--impossible," said the Fleming: "see you not yonder +tall fellow begins already to handle his dagger--Go hence in +haste, and angrily--and forget not the cattle." + +"I will not forget them," said Jorworth; "but if thou keep not +faith with us--" + +So speaking, he left the apartment with a gesture of menace, +partly really directed to Wilkin himself, partly assumed in +consequence of his advice. Flammock replied in English, as if that +all around might understand, what he said, + +"Do thy worst, Sir Welshman! I am a true man; I defy the proposals +of rendition, and will hold out this castle to thy shame and thy +master's!--Here--let him be blindfolded once more, and returned in +safety to his attendants without; the next Welshman who appears +before the gate of the Garde Doloureuse, shall be more sharply +received." + +The Welshman was blindfolded and withdrawn, when, as Wilkin +Flammock himself left the guardroom, one of the seeming men-at- +arms, who had been present at this interview, said in his ear, in +English, "Thou art a false traitor, Flammock, and shalt die a +traitor's death!" + +Startled at this, the Fleming would have questioned the man +farther, but he had disappeared so soon as the words were uttered. +Flammock was disconcerted by this circumstance, which showed him +that his interview with Jorworth had been observed, and its +purpose known or conjectured, by some one who was a stranger to +his confidence, and might thwart his intentions; and he quickly +after learned that this was the case. + + + + +CHAPTER THE SIXTH + + + Blessed Mary, mother dear, + To a maiden bend thine ear, + Virgin undefiled, to thee + A wretched virgin bends the knee. + HYMN TO THE VIRGIN. + + +The daughter of the slaughtered Raymond had descended from the +elevated station whence she had beheld the field of battle, in the +agony of grief natural to a child whose eyes have beheld the death +of an honoured and beloved father. But her station, and the +principles of chivalry in which she had been trained up, did not +permit any prolonged or needless indulgence of inactive sorrow. In +raising the young and beautiful of the female sex to the rank of +princesses, or rather goddesses, the spirit of that singular +system exacted from them, in requital, a tone of character, and a +line of conduct, superior and something contradictory to that of +natural or merely human feeling. Its heroines frequently resembled +portraits shown by an artificial light--strong and luminous, and +which placed in high relief the objects on which it was turned; +but having still something of adventitious splendour, which, +compared with that of the natural day, seemed glaring and +exaggerated. + +It was not permitted to the orphan of the Garde Doloureuse, the +daughter of a line of heroes, whose stem was to be found in the +race of Thor, Balder, Odin, and other deified warriors of the +North, whose beauty was the theme of a hundred minstrels, and her +eyes the leading star of half the chivalry of the warlike marches +of Wales, to mourn her sire with the ineffectual tears of a +village maiden. Young as she was, and horrible as was the incident +which she had but that instant witnessed, it was not altogether so +appalling to her as to a maiden whose eye had not been accustomed +to the rough, and often fatal sports of chivalry, and whose +residence had not been among scenes and men where war and death +had been the unceasing theme of every tongue, whose imagination +had not been familiarized with wild and bloody events, or, +finally, who had not been trained up to consider an honourable +"death under shield," as that of a field of battle was termed, as +a more desirable termination to the life of a warrior, than that +lingering and unhonoured fate which comes slowly on, to conclude +the listless and helpless inactivity of prolonged old age. +Eveline, while she wept for her father, felt her bosom glow when +she recollected that he died in the blaze of his fame, and amidst +heaps of his slaughtered enemies; and when she thought of the +exigencies of her own situation, it was with the determination to +defend her own liberty, and to avenge her father's death, by every +means which Heaven had left within her power. + +The aids of religion were not forgotten; and according to the +custom of the times, and the doctrines of the Roman church, she +endeavoured to propitiate the favour of Heaven by vows as well as +prayers. In a small crypt, or oratory, adjoining to the chapel, +was hung over an altar-piece, on which a lamp constantly burned, a +small picture of the Virgin Mary, revered as a household and +peculiar deity by the family of Berenger, one of whose ancestors +had brought it from the Holy Land, whither he had gone upon +pilgrimage. It was of the period of the Lower Empire, a Grecian +painting, not unlike those which in Catholic countries are often +imputed to the Evangelist Luke. The crypt in which it was placed +was accounted a shrine of uncommon sanctity--nay, supposed to have +displayed miraculous powers; and Eveline, by the daily garland of +flowers which she offered before the painting, and by the constant +prayers with which they were accompanied, had constituted herself +the peculiar votaress of Our Lady of the Garde Doloureuse, for so +the picture was named. + +Now, apart from others, alone, and in secrecy, sinking in the +extremity of her sorrow before the shrine of her patroness, she +besought the protection of kindred purity for the defence of her +freedom and honour, and invoked vengeance on the wild and +treacherous chieftain who had slain her father, and was now +beleaguering her place of strength. Not only did she vow a large +donative in lands to the shrine of the protectress whose aid she +implored; but the oath passed her lips, (even though they +faltered, and though something within her remonstrated against the +vow,) that whatsoever favoured knight Our Lady of the Garde +Doloureuse might employ for her rescue, should obtain from her in +guerdon whatever boon she might honourably grant, were it that of +her virgin hand at the holy altar. Taught as she was to believe, +by the assurances of many a knight, that such a surrender was the +highest boon which Heaven could bestow, she felt as discharging a +debt of gratitude when she placed herself entirely at the disposal +of the pure and blessed patroness in whose aid she confided. +Perhaps there lurked in this devotion some earthly hope of which +she was herself scarce conscious, and which reconciled her to the +indefinite sacrifice thus freely offered. The Virgin, (this +flattering hope might insinuate,) kindest and most benevolent of +patronesses, will use compassionately the power resigned to her, +and _he_ will be the favoured champion of Maria, upon whom +her votaress would most willingly confer favour. + +But if there was such a hope, as something selfish will often +mingle with our noblest and purest emotions, it arose unconscious +of Eveline herself, who, in the full assurance of implicit faith, +and fixing on the representative of her adoration, eyes in which +the most earnest supplication, the most humble confidence, +struggled with unbidden tears, was perhaps more beautiful than +when, young as she was, she was selected to bestow the prize of +chivalry in the lists of Chester. It was no wonder that, in such a +moment of high excitation, when prostrated in devotion before a +being of whose power to protect her, and to make her protection +assured by a visible sign, she doubted nothing, the Lady Eveline +conceived she saw with her own eyes the acceptance of her vow. As +she gazed on the picture with an over-strained eye, and an +imagination heated with enthusiasm, the expression seemed to alter +from the hard outline, fashioned by the Greek painter; the eyes +appeared to become animated, and to return with looks of +compassion the suppliant entreaties of the votaress, and the mouth +visibly arranged itself into a smile of inexpressible sweetness. +It even seemed to her that the head made a gentle inclination. + +Overpowered by supernatural awe at appearances, of which her faith +permitted her not to question the reality, the Lady Eveline folded +her arms on her bosom, and prostrated her forehead on the +pavement, as the posture most fitting to listen to divine +communication. + +But her vision went not so far; there was neither sound nor voice, +and when, after stealing her eyes all around the crypt in which +she knelt, she again raised them to the figure of Our Lady, the +features seemed to be in the form in which the limner had sketched +them, saving that, to Eveline's imagination, they still retained +an august and yet gracious expression, which she had not before +remarked upon the countenance. With awful reverence, almost +amounting to fear, yet comforted, and even elated, with the +visitation she had witnessed, the maiden repeated again and again +the orisons which she thought most grateful to the ear of her +benefactress; and rising at length, retired backwards, as from the +presence of a sovereign, until she attained the outer chapel. + +Here one or two females still knelt before the saints which the +walls and niches presented for adoration; but the rest of the +terrified suppliants, too anxious to prolong their devotions, had +dispersed through the castle to learn tidings of their friends, +and to obtain some refreshment, or at least some place of repose +for themselves and their families. + +Bowing her head, and muttering an ave to each saint as she passed +his image, (for impending danger makes men observant of the rites +of devotion,) the Lady Eveline had almost reached the door of the +chapel, when a man-at-arms, as he seemed, entered hastily; and, +with a louder voice than suited the holy place, unless when need +was most urgent, demanded the Lady Eveline. Impressed with the +feelings of veneration which the late scene had produced, she was +about to rebuke his military rudeness, when he spoke again, and in +anxious haste, "Daughter, we are betrayed!" and though the form, +and the coat-of-mail which covered it, were those of a soldier, +the voice was that of Father Aldrovand, who, eager and anxious at +the same time, disengaged himself from the mail hood, and showed +his countenance. + +"Father," she said, "what means this? Have you forgotten the +confidence in Heaven which you are wont to recommend, that you +bear other arms than your order assigns to you?" + +"It may come to that ere long," said Father Aldrovand; "for I was +a soldier ere I was a monk. But now I have donn'd this harness to +discover treachery, not to resist force. Ah! my beloved daughter-- +we are dreadfully beset--foemen without--traitors within!--The +false Fleming, Wilkin Flammock, is treating for the surrender of +the castle!" + +"Who dares say so?" said a veiled female, who had been kneeling +unnoticed in a sequestered corner of the chapel, but who now +started up and came boldly betwixt Lady Eveline and the monk. + +"Go hence, thou saucy minion," said the monk, surprised at this +bold interruption; "this concerns not thee." + +"But it _doth_ concern me," said the damsel, throwing back +her veil, and discovering the juvenile countenance of Rose, the +daughter of Wilkin Flammock, her eyes sparkling, and her cheeks +blushing with anger, the vehemence of which made a singular +contrast with the very fair complexion, and almost infantine +features of the speaker, whose whole form and figure was that of a +girl who has scarce emerged from childhood, and indeed whose +general manners were as gentle and bashful as they now seemed +bold, impassioned, and undaunted.--"Doth it not concern me," she +said, "that my father's honest name should be tainted with +treason? Doth it not concern the stream when the fountain is +troubled? It _doth_ concern me, and I will know the author of +the calumny." + +"Damsel," said Eveline, "restrain thy useless passion; the good +father, though he cannot intentionally calumniate thy father, +speaks, it may be, from false report." + +"As I am an unworthy priest," said the father, "I speak from the +report of my own ears. Upon the oath of my order, myself heard +this Wilkin Flammock chaffering with the Welshman for the +surrender of the Garde Doloureuse. By help of this hauberk and +mail hood, I gained admittance to a conference where he thought +there were no English ears. They spoke Flemish too, but I knew the +jargon of old." + +"The Flemish," said the angry maiden, whose headstrong passion led +her to speak first in answer to the last insult offered, "is no +jargon like your piebald English, half Norman, half Saxon, but a +noble Gothic tongue, spoken by the brave warriors who fought +against the Roman Kaisars, when Britain bent the neck to them--and +as for this he has said of Wilkin Flammock," she continued, +collecting her ideas into more order as she went on, "believe it +not, my dearest lady; but, as you value the honour of your own +noble father, confide, as in the Evangelists, in the honesty of +mine!" This she spoke with an imploring tone of voice, mingled +with sobs, as if her heart had been breaking. + +Eveline endeavoured to soothe her attendant. "Rose," she said, "in +this evil time suspicions will light on the best men, and +misunderstandings will arise among the best friends.--Let us hear +the good father state what he hath to charge upon your parent. +Fear not but that Wilkin shall be heard in his defence. Thou wert +wont to be quiet and reasonable." + +"I am neither quiet nor reasonable on this matter," said Rose, +with redoubled indignation; "and it is ill of you, lady, to listen +to the falsehoods of that reverend mummer, who is neither true +priest nor true soldier. But I will fetch one who shall confront +him either in casque or cowl." So saying, she went hastily out of +the chapel, while the monk, after some pedantic circumlocution, +acquainted the Lady Eveline with what he had overheard betwixt +Jorworth and Wilkin; and proposed to her to draw together the few +English who were in the castle, and take possession of the +innermost square tower; a keep which, as usual in Gothic +fortresses of the Norman period, was situated so as to make +considerable defence, even after the exterior works of the castle, +which it commanded, were in the hand of the enemy. + +"Father," said Eveline, still confident in the vision she had +lately witnessed, "this were good counsel in extremity; but +otherwise, it were to create the very evil we fear, by seating our +garrison at odds amongst themselves. I have a strong, and not +unwarranted confidence, good father, in our blessed Lady of the +Garde Doloureuse, that we shall attain at once vengeance on our +barbarous enemies, and escape from our present jeopardy; and I +call you to witness the vow I have made, that to him whom Our Lady +should employ to work us succour, I will refuse nothing, were it +my father's inheritance, or the hand of his daughter." + +"_Ave Maria! Ave Regina Coeli!_" said the priest; "on a rock +more sure you could not have founded your trust.--But, daughter," +he continued after the proper ejaculation had been made, "have you +never heard, even by a hint, that there was a treaty for your hand +betwixt our much honoured lord, of whom we are cruelly bereft, +(may God assoilzie his soul!) and the great house of Lacy?" + +"Something I may have heard," said Eveline, dropping her eyes, +while a slight tinge suffused her cheek; "but I refer me to the +disposal of our Lady of Succour and Consolation." + +As she spoke, Rose entered the chapel with the same vivacity she +had shown in leaving it, leading by the hand her father, whose +sluggish though firm step, vacant countenance, and heavy +demeanour, formed the strongest contrast to the rapidity of her +motions, and the anxious animation of her address. Her task of +dragging him forward might have reminded the spectator of some of +those ancient monuments, on which a small cherub, singularly +inadequate to the task, is often represented as hoisting upward +towards the empyrean the fleshy bulk of some ponderous tenant of +the tomb, whose disproportioned weight bids fair to render +ineffectual the benevolent and spirited exertions of its +fluttering guide and assistant. + +"Roschen--my child--what grieves thee?" said the Netherlander, as +he yielded to his daughter's violence with a smile, which, being +on the countenance of a father, had more of expression and feeling +than those which seemed to have made their constant dwelling upon +his lips. + +"Here stands my father," said the impatient maiden; "impeach him +with treason, who can or dare! There stands Wilkin Flammock, son +of Dieterick, the Cramer of Antwerp,--let those accuse him to his +face who slandered him behind his back!" + +"Speak, Father Aldrovand," said the Lady Eveline; "we are young in +our lordship, and, alas! the duty hath descended upon us in an +evil hour; yet we will, so may God and Our Lady help us, hear and +judge of your accusation to the utmost of our power." + +"This Wilkin Flammock," said the monk, "however bold he hath made +himself in villany, dares not deny that I heard him with my own +ears treat for the surrender of the castle." + +"Strike him, father!" said the indignant Rose,--"strike the +disguised mummer! The steel hauberk may be struck, though not the +monk's frock--strike him, or tell him that he lies foully!" + +"Peace, Roschen, thou art mad," said her father, angrily; "the +monk hath more truth than sense about him, and I would his ears +had been farther off when he thrust them into what concerned him +not." + +Rose's countenance fell when she heard her father bluntly avow the +treasonable communication of which she had thought him incapable-- +she dropt the hand by which she had dragged him into the chapel, +and stared on the Lady Eveline, with eyes which seemed starting +from their sockets, and a countenance from which the blood, with +which it was so lately highly coloured, had retreated to garrison +the heart. + +Eveline looked upon the culprit with a countenance in which +sweetness and dignity were mingled with sorrow. "Wilkin," she +said, "I could not have believed this. What! on the very day of +thy confiding benefactor's death, canst thou have been tampering +with his murderers, to deliver up the castle, and betray thy +trust!--But I will not upbraid thee--I deprive thee of the trust +reposed in so unworthy a person, and appoint thee to be kept in +ward in the western tower, till God send us relief; when, it may +be, thy daughter's merits shall atone for thy offences, and save +farther punishment.--See that our commands be presently obeyed." + +"Yes--yes--yes!" exclaimed Rose, hurrying one word on the other as +fast and vehemently as she could articulate--"Let us go--let us go +to the darkest dungeon--darkness befits us better than light." + +The monk, on the other hand, perceiving that the Fleming made no +motion to obey the mandate of arrest, came forward, in a manner +more suiting his ancient profession, and present disguise, than +his spiritual character; and with the words, "I attach thee, +Wilkin Flammock, of acknowledged treason to your liege lady," +would have laid hand upon him, had not the Fleming stepped back +and warned him off, with a menacing and determined gesture, while +he said,--"Ye are mad!--all of you English are mad when the moon +is full, and my silly girl hath caught the malady.--Lady, your +honoured father gave me a charge, which I propose to execute to +the best for all parties, and you cannot, being a minor, deprive +me of it at your idle pleasure.--Father Aldrovand, a monk makes no +lawful arrests.--Daughter Roschen, hold your peace and dry your +eyes--you are a fool." + +"I am, I am," said Rose, drying her eyes and regaining her +elasticity of manner--"I am indeed a fool, and worse than a fool, +for a moment to doubt my father's probity.--Confide in him, +dearest lady; he is wise though he is grave, and kind though he is +plain and homely in his speech. Should he prove false he will fare +the worse! for I will plunge myself from the pinnacle of the +Warder's Tower to the bottom of the moat, and he shall lose his +own daughter for betraying his master's." + +"This is all frenzy," said the monk--"Who trusts avowed traitors? +--Here, Normans, English, to the rescue of your liege lady--Bows +and bills--bows and bills!" + +"You may spare your throat for your next homily, good father," +said the Netherlander, "or call in good Flemish, since you +understand it, for to no other language will those within hearing +reply." + +He then approached the Lady Eveline with a real or affected air of +clumsy kindness, and something as nearly approaching to courtesy +as his manners and features could assume. He bade her good-night, +and assuring her that he would act for the best, left the chapel. +The monk was about to break forth into revilings, but Eveline, +with more prudence, checked his zeal. + +"I cannot," she said, "but hope that this man's intentions are +honest--" + +"Now, God's blessing on you, lady, for that very word!" said Rose, +eagerly interrupting her, and kissing her hand. + +"But if unhappily they are doubtful," continued Eveline, "it is +not by reproach that we can bring him to a better purpose. Good +father, give an eye to the preparations for resistance, and see +nought omitted that our means furnish for the defence of the +castle." + +"Fear nothing, my dearest daughter," said Aldrovand; "there are +still some English hearts amongst us, and we will rather kill and +eat the Flemings themselves, than surrender the castle." + +"That were food as dangerous to come by as bear's venison, +father," answered Rose, bitterly, still on fire with the idea that +the monk treated her nation with suspicion and contumely. + +On these terms they separated--the women to indulge their fears +and sorrows in private grief, or alleviate them by private +devotion; the monk to try to discover what were the real purposes +of Wilkin Flammock, and to counteract them if possible, should +they seem to indicate treachery. His eye, however, though +sharpened by strong suspicion, saw nothing to strengthen his +fears, excepting that the Fleming had, with considerable military +skill, placed the principal posts of the castle in the charge of +his own countrymen which must make any attempt to dispossess him +of his present authority both difficult and dangerous. The monk at +length retired, summoned by the duties of the evening service, and +with the determination to be stirring with the light the next +morning. + + + + +CHAPTER THE SEVENTH + + + Oh, sadly shines the morning sun + On leaguer'd castle wall, + When bastion, tower, and battlement, + Seemed nodding to their fall. + OLD BALLAD. + + +True to his resolution, and telling his beads as he went, that he +might lose no time, Father Aldrovand began his rounds in the +castle so soon as daylight had touched the top of the eastern +horizon. A natural instinct led him first to those stalls which, +had the fortress been properly victualled for a siege, ought to +have been tenanted by cattle; and great was his delight to see +more than a score of fat kine and bullocks in the place which had +last night been empty! One of them had already been carried to the +shambles, and a Fleming or two, who played butchers on the +occasion, were dividing the carcass for the cook's use. The good +father had well-nigh cried out, a miracle; but, not to be too +precipitate, he limited his transport to a private exclamation in +honour of Our Lady of the Garde Doloureuse. + +"Who talks of lack of provender?--who speaks of surrender now?" he +said. "Here is enough to maintain us till Hugo de Lacy arrives, +were he to sail back from Cyprus to our relief. I did purpose to +have fasted this morning, as well to save victuals as on a +religious score; but the blessings of the saints must not be +slighted.--Sir Cook, let me have half a yard or so of broiled beef +presently; bid the pantler send me a manchet, and the butler a cup +of wine. I will take a running breakfast on the western +battlements." [Footnote: Old Henry Jenkins, in his Recollections +of the Abbacies before their dissolution, has preserved the fact +that roast-beef was delivered out to the guests not by weight, but +by measure.] + +At this place, which was rather the weakest point of the Garde +Doloureuse, the good father found Wilkin Flammock anxiously +superintending the necessary measures of defence. He greeted him +courteously, congratulated him on the stock of provisions with +which the castle had been supplied during the night, and was +inquiring how they had been so happily introduced through the +Welsh besiegers, when Wilkin took the first occasion to interrupt +him. + +"Of all this another time, good father; but I wish at present, and +before other discourse, to consult thee on a matter which presses +my conscience, and moreover deeply concerns my worldly estate." + +"Speak on, my excellent son," said the father, conceiving that he +should thus gain the key to Wilkin's real intentions. "Oh, a +tender conscience is a jewel! and he that will not listen when it +saith, 'Pour out thy doubts into the ear of the priest,' shall one +day have his own dolorous outcries choked with fire and brimstone. +Thou wert ever of a tender conscience, son Wilkin, though thou +hast but a rough and borrel bearing." + +"Well, then," said Wilkin, "you are to know, good father, that I +have had some dealings with my neighbour, Jan Vanwelt, concerning +my daughter Rose, and that he has paid me certain gilders on +condition I will match her to him." + +"Pshaw, pshaw! my good son," said the disappointed confessor, +"this gear can lie over--this is no time for marrying or giving in +marriage, when we are all like to be murdered." + +"Nay, but hear me, good father," said the Fleming, "for this point +of conscience concerns the present case more nearly than you wot +of.--You must know I have no will to bestow Rose on this same Jan +Vanwelt, who is old, and of ill conditions; and I would know of +you whether I may, in conscience, refuse him my consent?" + +"Truly," said Father Aldrovand, "Rose is a pretty lass, though +somewhat hasty; and I think you may honestly withdraw your +consent, always on paying back the gilders you have received." + +"But there lies the pinch, good father," said the Fleming--"the +refunding this money will reduce me to utter poverty. The Welsh +have destroyed my substance; and this handful of money is all, God +help me! on which I must begin the world again." + +"Nevertheless, son Wilkin," said Aldrovand, "thou must keep thy +word, or pay the forfeit; for what saith the text? _Quis +habitabit in tabernaculo, quis requiescet in monte sancta?_-- +Who shall ascend to the tabernacle, and dwell in the holy +mountain? Is it not answered again, _Qui jurat proximo et non +decipit?_--Go to, my son--break not thy plighted word for a +little filthy lucre--better is an empty stomach and an hungry +heart with a clear conscience, than a fatted ox with iniquity and +wordbreaking.--Sawest thou not our late noble lord, who (may his +soul be happy!) chose rather to die in unequal battle, like a true +knight, than live a perjured man, though he had but spoken a rash +word to a Welshman over a wine flask?" + +"Alas! then," said the Fleming, "this is even what I feared! We +must e'en render up the castle, or restore to the Welshman, +Jorworth, the cattle, by means of which I had schemed to victual +and defend it." + +"How--wherefore--what dost thou mean?" said the monk, in +astonishment. "I speak to thee of Rose Flammock, and Jan Van- +devil, or whatever you call him, and you reply with talk about +cattle and castles, and I wot not what!" + +"So please you, holy father, I did but speak in parables. This +castle was the daughter I had promised to deliver over--the +Welshman is Jan Vanwelt, and the gilders were the cattle he has +sent in, as a part-payment beforehand of my guerdon." + +"Parables!" said the monk, colouring with anger at the trick put +on him; "what has a boor like thee to do with parables?--But I +forgive thee--I forgive thee." + +"I am therefore to yield the castle to the Welshman, or restore +him his cattle?" said the impenetrable Dutchman. + +"Sooner yield thy soul to Satan!" replied the monk. + +"I fear it must be the alternative," said the Fleming; "for the +example of thy honourable lord--" + +"The example of an honourable fool"--answered the monk; then +presently subjoined, "Our Lady be with her servant!--This Belgic- +brained boor makes me forget what I would say." + +"Nay, but the holy text which your reverence cited to me even +now," continued the Fleming. + +"Go to," said the monk; "what hast thou to do to presume to think +of texts?--knowest thou not the letter of the Scripture slayeth, +and that it is the exposition which maketh to live?--Art thou not +like one who, coming to a physician, conceals from him half the +symptoms of the disease?--I tell thee, thou foolish Fleming, the +text speaketh but of promises made unto Christians, and there is +in the Rubric a special exception of such as are made to +Welshmen." At this commentary the Fleming grinned so broadly as to +show his whole case of broad strong white teeth. Father Aldrovand +himself grinned in sympathy, and then proceeded to say,--"Come, +come, I see how it is. Thou hast studied some small revenge on me +for doubting of thy truth; and, in verity, I think thou hast taken +it wittily enough. But wherefore didst thou not let me into the +secret from the beginning? I promise thee I had foul suspicions of +thee. + +"What!" said the Fleming, "is it possible I could ever think of +involving your reverence in a little matter of deceit? Surely +Heaven hath sent me more grace and manners.--Hark, I hear +Jorworth's horn at the gate." + +"He blows like a town swineherd," said Aldrovand, in disdain. + +"It is not your reverence's pleasure that I should restore the +cattle unto them, then?" said Flammock. + +"Yes, thus far. Prithee, deliver him straightway over the walls +such a tub of boiling water as shall scald the hair from his +goatskin cloak. And, hark thee, do thou, in the first place, try +the temperature of the kettle with thy forefinger, and that shall +be thy penance for the trick thou hast played me." + +The Fleming answered this with another broad grin of intelligence, +and they proceeded to the outer gate, to which Jorworth had come +alone. Placing himself at the wicket, which, however, he kept +carefully barred, and speaking through a small opening, contrived +for such purpose, Wilkin Flammock demanded of the Welshman his +business. + +"To receive rendition of the castle, agreeable to promise," said +Jorworth. + +"Ay? and art thou come on such errand alone?" said Wilkin. + +"No, truly," answered Jorworth; "I have some two score of men +concealed among yonder bushes." + +"Then thou hadst best lead them away quickly," answered Wilkin, +"before our archers let fly a sheaf of arrows among them." + +"How, villain! Dost thou not mean to keep thy promise?" said the +Welshman. + +"I gave thee none," said the Fleming; "I promised but to think on +what thou didst say. I have done so, and have communicated with my +ghostly father, who will in no respect hear of my listening to thy +proposal." + +"And wilt thou," said Jorworth, "keep the cattle, which I simply +sent into the castle on the faith of our agreement?" + +"I will excommunicate and deliver him over to Satan," said the +monk, unable to wait the phlegmatic and lingering answer of the +Fleming, "if he give horn, hoof, or hair of them, to such an +uncircumcised Philistine as thou or thy master." + +"It is well, shorn priest," answered Jorworth in great anger. "But +mark me--reckon not on your frock for ransom. When Gwenwyn hath +taken this castle, as it shall not longer shelter such a pair of +faithless traitors, I will have you sewed up each into the carcass +of one of these kine, for which your penitent has forsworn +himself, and lay you where wolf and eagle shall be your only +companions." + +"Thou wilt work thy will when it is matched with thy power," said +the sedate Netherlander. + +"False Welshman, we defy thee to thy teeth!" answered, in the same +breath, the more irascible monk. "I trust to see hounds gnaw thy +joints ere that day come that ye talk of so proudly." + +By way of answer to both, Jorworth drew back his arm with his +levelled javelin, and shaking the shaft till it acquired a +vibratory motion, he hurled it with equal strength and dexterity +right against the aperture in the wicket. It whizzed through the +opening at which it was aimed, and flew (harmlessly, however) +between the heads of the monk and the Fleming; the former of whom +started back, while the latter only said, as he looked at the +javelin, which stood quivering in the door of the guard-room, +"That was well aimed, and happily baulked." + +Jorworth, the instant he had flung his dart, hastened to the +ambush which he had prepared, and gave them at once the signal and +the example of a rapid retreat down the hill. Father Aldrovand +would willingly have followed them with a volley of arrows, but +the Fleming observed that ammunition was too precious with them to +be wasted on a few runaways. Perhaps the honest man remembered +that they had come within the danger of such a salutation, in some +measure, on his own assurance. When the noise of the hasty retreat +of Jorworth and his followers had died away, there ensued a dead +silence, well corresponding with the coolness and calmness of that +early hour in the morning. + +"This will not last long," said Wilkin to the monk, in a tone of +foreboding seriousness, which found an echo in the good father's +bosom. + +"It will not, and it cannot," answered Aldrovand; "and we must +expect a shrewd attack, which I should mind little, but that their +numbers are great, ours few; the extent of the walls considerable, +and the obstinacy of these Welsh fiends almost equal to their +fury. But we will do the best. I will to the Lady Eveline--She +must show herself upon the battlements--She is fairer in feature +than becometh a man of my order to speak of; and she has withal a +breathing of her father's lofty spirit. The look and the word of +such a lady will give a man double strength in the hour of need." + +"It may be," said the Fleming; "and I will go see that the good +breakfast which I have appointed be presently served forth; it +will give my Flemings more strength than the sight of the ten +thousand virgins--may their help be with us!--were they all +arranged on a fair field." + + + + +CHAPTER THE EIGHTH + + + 'Twas when ye raised,' mid sap and siege, + The banner of your rightful liege + At your she captain's call, + Who, miracle of womankind, + Lent mettle to the meanest hind + That mann'd her castle wall. + WILLIAM STEWART ROSE. + + +The morning light was scarce fully spread abroad, when Eveline +Berenger, in compliance with her confessor's advice, commenced her +progress around the walls and battlements of the beleaguered +castle, to confirm, by her personal entreaties, the minds of the +valiant, and to rouse the more timid to hope and to exertion. She +wore a rich collar and bracelets, as ornaments which indicated her +rank--and high descent; and her under tunic, in the manner of the +times, was gathered around her slender waist by a girdle, +embroidered with precious stones, and secured by a large buckle of +gold. From one side of the girdle was suspended a pouch or purse, +splendidly adorned with needle-work, and on the left side it +sustained a small dagger of exquisite workmanship. A dark-coloured +mantle, chosen as emblematic of her clouded fortunes, was flung +loosely around her; and its hood was brought forward, so as to +shadow, but not hide, her beautiful countenance. Her looks had +lost the high and ecstatic expression which had been inspired by +supposed revelation, but they retained a sorrowful and mild, yet +determined character--and, in addressing the soldiers, she used a +mixture of entreaty and command--now throwing herself upon their +protection--now demanding in her aid the just tribute of their +allegiance. + +The garrison was divided, as military skill dictated, in groups, +on the points most liable to attack, or from which an assailing +enemy might be best annoyed; and it was this unavoidable +separation of their force into small detachments, which showed to +disadvantage the extent of walls, compared with the number of the +defenders; and though Wilkin Flammock had contrived several means +of concealing this deficiency of force from the enemy, he could +not disguise it from the defenders of the castle, who cast +mournful glances on the length of battlements which were +unoccupied save by sentinels, and then looked out to the fatal +field of battle, loaded with the bodies of those who ought to have +been their comrades in this hour of peril. + +The presence of Eveline did much to rouse the garrison from this +state of discouragement. She glided from post to post, from tower +to tower of the old gray fortress, as a gleam of light passes over +a clouded landscape, and touching its various points in +succession, calls them out to beauty and effect. Sorrow and fear +sometimes make sufferers eloquent. She addressed the various +nations who composed her little garrison, each in appropriate +language. To the English, she spoke as children of the soil--to +the Flemings, as men who had become denizens by the right of +hospitality--to the Normans, as descendants of that victorious +race, whose sword had made them the nobles and sovereigns of every +land where its edge had been tried. To them she used the language +of chivalry, by whose rules the meanest of that nation regulated, +or affected to regulate, his actions. The English she reminded of +their good faith and honesty of heart; and to the Flemings she +spoke of the destruction of their property, the fruits of their +honest industry. To all she proposed vengeance for the death of +their leader and his followers--to all she recommended confidence +in God and Our Lady of the Garde Doloureuse; and she ventured to +assure all, of the strong and victorious bands that were already +in march to their relief. + +"Will the gallant champions of the cross," she said, "think of +leaving their native land, while the wail of women and of orphans +is in their ears?--it were to convert their pious purpose into +mortal sin, and to derogate from the high fame they have so well +won. Yes--fight but valiantly, and perhaps, before the very sun +that is now slowly rising shall sink in the sea, you will see it +shining on the ranks of Shrewsbury and Chester. When did the +Welshmen wait to hear the clangour of their trumpets, or the +rustling of their silken banners? Fight bravely--fight freely but +awhile!--our castle is strong--our munition ample--your hearts are +good--your arms are powerful--God is nigh to us, and our friends +are not far distant. Fight, then, in the name of all that is good +and holy--fight for yourselves, for your wives, for your children, +and for your property--and oh! fight for an orphan maiden, who +hath no other defenders but what a sense of her sorrows, and the +remembrance of her father, may raise up among you." + +Such speeches as these made a powerful impression on the men to +whom they were addressed, already hardened, by habits and +sentiments, against a sense of danger. The chivalrous Normans +swore, on the cross of their swords, they would die to a man ere +they would surrender their posts--the blunter Anglo-Saxons cried, +"Shame on him who would render up such a lamb as Eveline to a +Welsh wolf, while he could make her a bulwark with his body!"-- +Even the cold Flemings caught a spark of the enthusiasm with which +the others were animated, and muttered to each other praises of +the young lady's beauty, and short but honest resolves to do the +best they might in her defence. + +Rose Flammock, who accompanied her lady with one or two attendants +upon her circuit around the castle, seemed to have relapsed into +her natural character of a shy and timid girl, out of the excited +state into which she had been brought by the suspicions which in +the evening before had attached to her father's character. She +tripped closely but respectfully after Eveline, and listened to +what she said from time to time, with the awe and admiration of a +child listening to its tutor, while only her moistened eye +expressed how far she felt or comprehended the extent of the +danger, or the force of the exhortations. There was, however, a +moment when the youthful maiden's eye became more bright, her step +more confident, her looks more elevated. This was when they +approached the spot where her father, having discharged the duties +of commander of the garrison, was now exercising those of +engineer, and displaying great skill, as well as wonderful +personal strength, in directing and assisting the establishment of +a large mangonel, (a military engine used for casting stones,) +upon a station commanding an exposed postern gate, which led from +the western side of the castle down to the plain; and where a +severe assault was naturally to be expected. The greater part of +his armour lay beside him, but covered with his cassock to screen +it from morning dew; while in his leathern doublet, with arms bare +to the shoulder, and a huge sledge-hammer in his hand, he set an +example to the mechanics who worked under his direction. + +In slow and solid natures there is usually a touch of +shamefacedness, and a sensitiveness to the breach of petty +observances. Wilkin Flammock had been unmoved even to +insensibility at the imputation of treason so lately cast upon +him; but he coloured high, and was confused, while, hastily +throwing on his cassock, he endeavoured, to conceal the dishabille +in which he had been surprised by the Lady Eveline. Not so his +daughter. Proud of her father's zeal, her eye gleamed from him to +her mistress with a look of triumph, which seemed to say, "And +this faithful follower is he who was suspected of treachery!" + +Eveline's own bosom made her the same reproach; and anxious to +atone for her momentary doubt of his fidelity, she offered for his +acceptance a ring of value; "in small amends," she said, "of a +momentary misconstruction." "It needs not, lady," said Flammock, +with his usual bluntness, "unless I have the freedom to bestow the +gaud on Rose; for I think she was grieved enough at that which +moved me little,--as why should it?" + +"Dispose of it as thou wilt," said Eveline; "the stone it bears is +as true as thine own faith." + +Here Eveline paused, and looking on the broad expanded plain which +extended between the site of the castle and the river, observed +how silent and still the morning was rising over what had so +lately been a scene of such extensive slaughter. + +"It will not be so long," answered Flammock; "we shall have noise +enough, and that nearer to our ears than yesterday." + +"Which way lie the enemy?" said Eveline; "methinks I can spy +neither tents nor pavilions." + +"They use none, lady," answered Wilkin Flammock. "Heaven has +denied them the grace and knowledge to weave linen enough for such +a purpose--Yonder they lie on both sides of the river, covered +with nought but their white mantles. Would one think that a host +of thieves and cut-throats could look so like the finest object in +nature--a well-spread bleaching-field!--Hark!--hark--the wasps are +beginning to buzz; they will soon be plying their stings." + +In fact, there was heard among the Welsh army a low and indistinct +murmur, like that of + + "Bees alarmed and arming in their hives." + +Terrified at the hollow menacing sound, which grew louder every +moment, Rose, who had all the irritability of a sensitive +temperament, clung to her father's arm, saying, in a terrified +whisper, "It is like the sound of the sea the night before the +great inundation." + +"And it betokens too rough weather for woman to be abroad in," +said Flammock. "Go to your chamber, Lady Eveline, if it be your +will--and go you too, Roschen--God bless you both--ye do but keep +us idle here." + +And, indeed, conscious that she had done all that was incumbent +upon her, and fearful lest the chill which she felt creeping over +her own heart should infect others, Eveline took her vassal's +advice, and withdrew slowly to her own apartment, often casting +back her eye to the place where the Welsh, now drawn out and under +arms, were advancing their ridgy battalions, like the waves of an +approaching tide. + +The Prince of Powys had, with considerable military skill, adopted +a plan of attack suitable to the fiery genius of his followers, +and calculated to alarm on every point the feeble garrison. + +The three sides of the castle which were defended by the river, +were watched each by a numerous body of the British, with +instructions to confine themselves to the discharge of arrows, +unless they should observe that some favourable opportunity of +close attack should occur. But far the greater part of Gwenwyn's +forces, consisting of three columns of great strength, advanced +along the plain on the western side of the castle, and menaced, +with a desperate assault, the walls, which, in that direction, +were deprived of the defence of the river. The first of these +formidable bodies consisted entirely of archers, who dispersed +themselves in front of the beleaguered place, and took advantage +of every bush and rising ground which could afford them shelter; +and then began to bend their bows and shower their arrows on the +battlements and loop-holes, suffering, however, a great deal more +damage than they were able to inflict, as the garrison returned +their shot in comparative safety, and with more secure and +deliberate aim. [Footnote: The Welsh were excellent bowmen; but, +under favour of Lord Lyttleton, they probably did not use the long +bow, the formidable weapon of the Normans, and afterwards of the +English yeomen. That of the Welsh most likely rather resembled the +bow of the cognate Celtic tribes of Ireland, and of the +Highlanders of Scotland. It was shorter than the Norman long bow, +as being drawn to the breast, not to the ear, more loosely strung, +and the arrow having a heavy iron head; altogether, in short, a +less effective weapon. It appears, from the following anecdote, +that there was a difference between the Welsh arrow and those of +the English. + +In 1122, Henry the II., marching into Powys-Land to chastise +Meredith ap Blethyn and certain rebels, in passing a defile, was +struck by an arrow on the breast. Repelled by the excellence of +his breast-plate, the shaft fell to the ground. When the King felt +the blow, and saw the shaft, he swore his usual oath, by the death +of our Lord, that the arrow came not from a Welsh but an English +bow; and, influenced by this belief hastily put an end to the +war.] Under cover, however, of their discharge of arrows, two very +strong bodies of Welsh attempted to carry the outer defences of +the castle by storm. They had axes to destroy the palisades, then +called barriers; faggots to fill up the external ditches; torches +to set fire to aught combustible which they might find; and, above +all, ladders to scale the walls. + +These detachments rushed with incredible fury towards the point of +attack, despite a most obstinate defence, and the great loss which +they sustained by missiles of every kind, and continued the +assault for nearly an hour, supplied by reinforcements which more +than recruited their diminished numbers. When they were at last +compelled to retreat, they seemed to adopt a new and yet more +harassing species of attack. A large body assaulted one exposed +point of the fortress with such fury as to draw thither as many of +the besieged as could possibly be spared from other defended +posts, and when there appeared a point less strongly manned than +was adequate to defence, that, in its turn, was furiously assailed +by a separate body of the enemy. + +Thus the defenders of the Garde Doloureuse resembled the +embarrassed traveller, engaged in repelling a swarm of hornets, +which, while he brushes them, from one part, fix in swarms upon +another, and drive him to despair by their numbers, and the +boldness and multiplicity of their attacks. The postern being of +course a principal point of attack, Father Aldrovand, whose +anxiety would not permit him to be absent from the walls, and who, +indeed, where decency would permit, took an occasional share in +the active defence of the place, hasted thither, as the point +chiefly in danger. + +Here he found the Fleming, like a second Ajax, grim with dust and +blood, working with his own hands the great engine which he had +lately helped to erect, and at the same time giving heedful eye to +all the exigencies around. + +"How thinkest thou of this day's work?" said the monk in a +whisper. + +"What skills it talking of it, father?" replied Flammock; "thou +art no soldier, and I have no time for words." + +"Nay, take thy breath," said the monk, tucking up the sleeves of +his frock; "I will try to help thee the whilst--although, our Lady +pity me, I know nothing of these strange devices--not even the +names. But our rule commands us to labour; there can be no harm +therefore, in turning this winch--or in placing this steel-headed +piece of wood opposite to the chord, (suiting his actions to his +words,) nor see I aught uncanonical in adjusting the lever thus, +or in touching the spring." + +The large bolt whizzed through the air as he spoke, and was so +successfully aimed, that it struck down a Welsh chief of eminence, +to which Gwenwyn himself was in the act of giving some important +charge. + +"Well driven, _trebuchet_--well flown, _quarrel!_" cried +the monk, unable to contain his delight, and giving in his +triumph, the true technical names to the engine, and the javelin +which it discharged. + +"And well aimed, monk," added Wilkin Flammock; "I think thou +knowest more than is in thy breviary." + +"Care not thou for that," said the father; "and now that thou +seest I can work an engine, and that the Welsh knaves seem +something low in stomach, what think'st thou of our estate?" + +"Well enough--for a bad one--if we may hope for speedy succour; +but men's bodies are of flesh, not of iron, and we may be at last +wearied out by numbers. Only one soldier to four yards of wall, is +a fearful odds; and the villains are aware of it, and keep us to +sharp work." + +The renewal of the assault here broke off their conversation, nor +did the active enemy permit them to enjoy much repose until +sunset; for, alarming them with repeated menaces of attack upon +different points, besides making two or three formidable and +furious assaults, they left them scarce time to breathe, or to +take a moment's refreshment. Yet the Welsh paid a severe price for +their temerity; for, while nothing could exceed the bravery with +which their men repeatedly advanced to the attack, those which +were made latest in the day had less of animated desperation than +their first onset; and it is probable, that the sense of having +sustained great loss, and apprehension of its effects on the +spirits of his people, made nightfall, and the interruption of the +contest, as acceptable to Gwenwyn as to the exhausted garrison of +the Garde Doloureuse. + +But in the camp or leaguer of the Welsh there was glee and +triumph, for the loss of the past day was forgotten in +recollection of the signal victory which had preceded this siege; +and the dispirited garrison could hear from their walls the laugh +and the song, the sound of harping and gaiety, which triumphed by +anticipation over their surrender. + +The sun was for some time sunk, the twilight deepened, and night +closed with a blue and cloudless sky, in which the thousand +spangles that deck the firmament received double brilliancy from +some slight touch of frost, although the paler planet, their +mistress, was but in her first quarter. The necessities of the +garrison were considerably aggravated by that of keeping a very +strong and watchful guard, ill according with the weakness of +their numbers, at a time which appeared favourable to any sudden +nocturnal alarm; and, so urgent was this duty, that those who had +been more slightly wounded on the preceding day, were obliged to +take their share in it, notwithstanding their hurts. The monk and +Fleming, who now perfectly understood each other, went in company +around the walls at midnight, exhorting the warders to be +watchful, and examining with their own eyes the state of the +fortress. It was in the course of these rounds, and as they were +ascending an elevated platform by a range of narrow and uneven +steps, something galling to the monk's tread, that they perceived +on the summit to which they were ascending, instead of the black +corslet of the Flemish sentinel who had been placed there, two +white forms, the appearance of which struck Wilkin Flammock with +more dismay than he had shown during any of the doubtful events of +the preceding day's fight. + +"Father," he said, "betake yourself to your tools--_es +spuckt_--there are hobgoblins here." + +The good father had not learned as a priest to defy the spiritual +host, whom, as a soldier, he had dreaded more than any mortal +enemy; but he began to recite, with chattering teeth, the exorcism +of the church, _"Conjuro vos omnes, spiritus maligni, magni, +atque parvi,"_--when he was interrupted by the voice of +Eveline, who called out, "Is it you, Father Aldrovand?" + +Much lightened at heart by finding they had no ghost to deal with, +Wilkin Flammock and the priest advanced hastily to the platform, +where they found the lady with her faithful Rose, the former with +a half-pike in her hand, like a sentinel on duty. + +"How is this, daughter?" said the monk; "how came you here, and +thus armed? and where is the sentinel,--the lazy Flemish hound, +that should have kept the post?" + +"May he not be a lazy hound, yet not a Flemish one, father?" said +Rose, who was ever awakened by anything which seemed a reflection +upon her country; "methinks I have heard of such curs of English +breed." + +"Go to, Rose, you are too malapert for a young maiden," said her +father. "Once more, where is Peterkin Vorst, who should have kept +this post?" + +"Let him not be blamed for my fault," said Eveline, pointing to a +place where the Flemish sentinel lay in the shade of the +battlement fast asleep--"He was overcome with toil--had fought +hard through the day, and when I saw him asleep as I came hither, +like a wandering spirit that cannot take slumber or repose, I +would not disturb the rest which I envied. As he had fought for +me, I might, I thought, watch an hour for him; so I took his +weapon with the purpose of remaining here till some one should +come to relieve him." + +"I will relieve the schelm, with a vengeance!" said Wilkin +Flammock, and saluted the slumbering and prostrate warder with two +kicks, which made his corslet clatter. The man started to his feet +in no small alarm, which he would have communicated to the next +sentinels and to the whole garrison, by crying out that the Welsh +were upon the walls, had not the monk covered his broad mouth with +his hand just as the roar was issuing forth.--"Peace, and get thee +down to the under bayley," said he;--"thou deservest death, by all +the policies of war--but, look ye, varlet, and see who has saved +your worthless neck, by watching while you were dreaming of +swine's flesh and beer-pots." + +The Fleming, although as yet but half awake, was sufficiently +conscious of his situation, to sneak off without reply, after two +or three awkward congees, as well to Eveline as to those by whom +his repose had been so unceremoniously interrupted. + +"He deserves to be tied neck and heel, the houndsfoot," said +Wilkin. "But what would you have, lady? My countrymen cannot live +without rest or sleep." So saying, he gave a yawn so wide, as if +he had proposed to swallow one of the turrets at an angle of the +platform on which he stood, as if it had only garnished a +Christmas pasty. + +"True, good Wilkin," said Eveline; "and do you therefore take some +rest, and trust to my watchfulness, at least till the guards are +relieved. I cannot sleep if I would, and I would not if I could." + +"Thanks, lady," said Flammock; "and in truth, as this is a +centrical place, and the rounds must pass in an hour at farthest, +I will e'en close my eyes for such a space, for the lids feel as +heavy as flood-gates." + +"Oh, father, father!" exclaimed Rose, alive to her sire's +unceremonious neglect of decorum--"think where you are, and in +whose presence!" + +"Ay, ay, good Flammock," said the monk, "remember the presence of +a noble Norman maiden is no place for folding of cloaks and +donning of night-caps." + +"Let him alone, father," said Eveline, who in another moment might +have smiled at the readiness with which Wilkin Flammock folded +himself in his huge cloak, extended his substantial form on the +stone bench, and gave the most decided tokens of profound repose, +long ere the monk had done speaking.--"Forms and fashions of +respect," she continued, "are for times of ease and nicety;--when +in danger, the soldier's bedchamber is wherever he can find +leisure for an hour's sleep--his eating-hall, wherever he can +obtain food. Sit thou down by Rose and me, good father, and tell +us of some holy lesson which may pass away these hours of +weariness and calamity." + +The father obeyed; but however willing to afford consolation, his +ingenuity and theological skill suggested nothing better than a +recitation of the penitentiary psalms, in which task he continued +until fatigue became too powerful for him also, when he committed +the same breach of decorum for which he had upbraided Wilkin +Flammock, and fell fast asleep in the midst of his devotions. + + + + +CHAPTER THE NINTH + + + "Oh, night of wo," she said, and wept, + "Oh, night foreboding sorrow! + "Oh, night of wo," she said and wept, + "But more I dread the morrow!" + SIR GILBERT ELLIOT. + + +The fatigue which had exhausted Flammock and the monk, was unfelt +by the two anxious maidens, who remained with their eyes bent, now +upon the dim landscape, now on the stars by which it was lighted, +as if they could have read there the events which the morrow was +to bring forth. It was a placid and melancholy scene. Tree and +field, and hill and plain, lay before them in doubtful light, +while at greater distance, their eye could with difficulty trace +one or two places where the river, hidden in general by banks and +trees, spread its more expanded bosom to the stars, and the pale +crescent. All was still, excepting the solemn rush of the waters, +and now and then the shrill tinkle of a harp, which, heard from +more than a mile's distance through the midnight silence, +announced that some of the Welshmen still protracted their most +beloved amusement. The wild notes, partially heard, seemed like +the voice of some passing spirit; and, connected as they were with +ideas of fierce and unrelenting hostility, thrilled on Eveline's +ear, as if prophetic of war and wo, captivity and death. The only +other sounds which disturbed the extreme stillness of the night, +were the occasional step of a sentinel upon his post, or the +hooting of the owls, which seemed to wail the approaching downfall +of the moonlight turrets, in which they had established their +ancient habitations. + +The calmness of all around seemed to press like a weight on the +bosom of the unhappy Eveline, and brought to her mind a deeper +sense of present grief, and keener apprehension of future horrors, +than had reigned there during the bustle, blood, and confusion of +the preceding day. She rose up--she sat down--she moved to and fro +on the platform--she remained fixed like a statue to a single +spot, as if she were trying by variety of posture to divert her +internal sense of fear and sorrow. + +At length, looking at the monk and the Fleming as they slept +soundly under the shade of the battlement, she could no longer +forbear breaking silence. "Men are happy," she said, "my beloved +Rose; their anxious thoughts are either diverted by toilsome +exertion, or drowned in the insensibility which follows it. They +may encounter wounds and death, but it is we who feel in the +spirit a more keen anguish than the body knows, and in the gnawing +sense of present ill and fear of future misery, suffer a living +death, more cruel than that which ends our woes at once." + +"Do not be thus downcast, my noble lady," said Rose; "be rather +what you were yesterday, caring for the wounded, for the aged, for +every one but yourself--exposing even your dear life among the +showers of the Welsh arrows, when doing so could give courage to +others; while I--shame on me--could but tremble, sob, and weep, +and needed all the little wit I have to prevent my shouting with +the wild cries of the Welsh, or screaming and groaning with those +of our friends who fell around me." + +"Alas! Rose," answered her mistress, "you may at pleasure indulge +your fears to the verge of distraction itself--you have a father +to fight and watch for you. Mine--my kind, noble, and honoured +parent, lies dead on yonder field, and all which remains for me is +to act as may best become his memory. But this moment is at least +mine, to think upon and to mourn for him." + +So saying, and overpowered by the long-repressed burst of filial +sorrow, she sunk down on the banquette which ran along the inside +of the embattled parapet of the platform, and murmuring to +herself, "He is gone for ever!" abandoned herself to the extremity +of grief. One hand grasped unconsciously the weapon which she +held, and served, at the same time, to prop her forehead, while +the tears, by which she was now for the first time relieved, +flowed in torrents from her eyes, and her sobs seemed so +convulsive, that Rose almost feared her heart was bursting. Her +affection and sympathy dictated at once the kindest course which +Eveline's condition permitted. Without attempting to control the +torrent of grief in its full current, she gently sat her down +beside the mourner, and possessing herself of the hand which had +sunk motionless by her side, she alternately pressed it to her +lips, her bosom, and her brow--now covered it with kisses, now +bedewed it with tears, and amid these tokens of the most devoted +and humble sympathy, waited a more composed moment to offer her +little stock of consolation in such deep silence and stillness, +that, as the pale light fell upon the two beautiful young women, +it seemed rather to show a group of statuary, the work of some +eminent sculptor, than beings whose eyes still wept, and whose +hearts still throbbed. At a little distance, the gleaming corslet +of the Fleming, and the dark garments of Father Aldrovand, as they +lay prostrate on the stone steps, might represent the bodies of +those for whom the principal figures were mourning. + +After a deep agony of many minutes, it seemed that the sorrows of +Eveline were assuming a more composed character; her convulsive +sobs were changed for long, low, profound sighs, and the course of +her tears, though they still flowed, was milder and less violent. +Her kind attendant, availing herself of these gentler symptoms, +tried softly to win the spear from her lady's grasp. "Let me be +sentinel for a while." she said, "my sweet lady--I will at least +scream louder than you, if any danger should approach." She +ventured to kiss her cheek, and throw her arms around Eveline's +neck while she spoke; but a mute caress, which expressed her sense +of the faithful girl's kind intentions to minister if possible to +her repose, was the only answer returned. They remained for many +minutes silent in the same posture,--Eveline, like an upright and +tender poplar,--Rose, who encircled her lady in her arms, like the +woodbine which twines around it. + +At length Rose suddenly felt her young mistress shiver in her +embrace, and then Eveline's hand grasped her arm rigidly as she +whispered, "Do you hear nothing?" + +"No--nothing but the hooting of the owl," answered Rose, +timorously. + +"I heard a distant sound," said Eveline,--"I thought I heard it-- +hark, it comes again!--Look from the battlements, Rose, while I +awaken the priest and thy father." + +"Dearest lady," said Rose, "I dare not--what can this sound be +that is heard by one only?--You are deceived by the rush of the +river." + +"I would not alarm the castle unnecessarily," said Eveline, +pausing, "or even break your father's needful slumbers, by a fancy +of mine--But hark--I hear it again--distinct amidst the +intermitting sounds of the rushing water--a low tremulous sound, +mingled with a tinkling like smiths or armourers at work upon +their anvils." + +Rose had by this time sprung up on the banquette, and flinging +back her rich tresses of fair hair, had applied her hand behind +her ear to collect the distant sound. "I hear it," she cried, "and +it increases--Awake them, for Heaven's sake, and without a +moment's delay!" + +Eveline accordingly stirred the sleepers with the reversed end of +the lance, and as they started to their feet in haste, she +whispered in a hasty but cautious voice, "To arms--the Welsh are +upon us!" "What--where?" said Wilkin Flammock,--"where be they?" + +"Listen, and you will hear them arming," she replied. + +"The noise is but in thine own fancy, lady," said the Fleming, +whose organs were of the same heavy character with his form and +his disposition. "I would I had not gone to sleep at all, since I +was to be awakened so soon." + +"Nay, but listen, good Flammock-the sound of armour comes from the +north-east." + +"The Welsh lie not in that quarter, lady," said Wilkin; "and +besides, they wear no armour." + +"I hear it--I hear it!" said Father Aldrovand, who had been +listening for some time. "All praise to St. Benedict!--Our Lady of +the Garde Doloureuse has been gracious to her servants as ever!-- +It is the tramp of horses--it is the clash of armour--the chivalry +of the Marches are coming to our relief-Kyrie Eleison!" + +"I hear something too," said Flammock,--"something like the hollow +sound of the great sea, when it burst into my neighbour +Klinkerman's warehouse, and rolled his pots and pans against each +other. But it were an evil mistake, father, to take foes for +friends--we were best rouse the people." + +"Tush!" said the priest, "talk to me of pots and kettles?--Was I, +squire of the body to Count Stephen Mauleverer for twenty years, +and do I not know the tramp of a war-horse, or the clash of a +mail-coat?--But call the men to the walls at any rate, and have me +the best drawn up at the base-court--we may help them by a sally." + +"That will not be rashly undertaken with my consent," murmured the +Fleming; "but to the wall if you will, and 111 good time. But keep +your Normans and English silent, Sir Priest, else their unruly and +noisy joy will awaken the Welsh camp, and prepare them for their +unwelcome visitors." + +The monk laid his finger on his lip in sign of obedience, and they +parted in opposite directions, each to rouse the defenders of the +castle, who were soon heard drawing from all quarters to their +posts upon the walls, with hearts in a very different mood from +that in which they had descended from them. The utmost caution +being used to prevent noise, the manning of the walls was +accomplished in silence, and the garrison awaited in, breathless +expectation the success of the forces who were rapidly advancing +to their relief. + +The character of the sounds which now loudly awakened the silence +of this eventful night, could no longer be mistaken. They were +distinguishable from the rushing of a mighty river, or from the +muttering sound of distant thunder, by the sharp and angry notes +which the clashing of the rider's arms mingled with the deep bass +of the horses' rapid tread. From the long continuance of the +sounds, their loudness, and the extent of horizon from which they +seemed to come, all in the castle were satisfied that the +approaching relief consisted of several very strong bodies of +horse. [Footnote: Even the sharp and angry clang made by the iron +scabbards of modern cavalry ringing against the steel-tipp'd +saddles and stirrup, betrays their approach from a distance. The +clash of the armour of knights, armed _cap-a-pie_, must have +been much more easily discernible.] At once this mighty sound +ceased, as if the earth on which they trod had either devoured the +armed squadrons or had become incapable of resounding to their +tramp. The defenders of the Garde Doloureuse concluded that their +friends had made a sudden halt, to give their horses breath, +examine the leaguer of the enemy, and settle the order of attack +upon them. The pause, however was but momentary. + +The British, so alert at surprising their enemies, were +themselves, on many occasions, liable to surprise. Their men were +undisciplined, and sometimes negligent of the patient duties of +the sentinel; and, besides, their foragers and flying parties, who +scoured the country during the preceding day, had brought back +tidings which had lulled them into fatal security. Their camp had +been therefore carelessly guarded, and confident in the smallness +of the garrison, they had altogether neglected the important +military duty of establishing patrols and outposts at a proper +distance from their main body. Thus the cavalry of the Lords +Marchers, notwithstanding the noise which accompanied their +advance, had approached very near the British camp without +exciting the least alarm. But while they were arranging their +forces into separate columns, in order to commence the assault, a +loud and increasing clamour among the Welsh announced that they +were at length aware of their danger. The shrill and discordant +cries by which they endeavoured to assemble their men, each under +the banner of his chief, resounded from their leaguer. But these +rallying shouts were soon converted into screams, and clamours of +horror and dismay, when the thundering charge of the barbed horses +and heavily armed cavalry of the Anglo-Normans surprised their +undefended camp. + +Yet not even under circumstances so adverse did the descendants of +the ancient Britons renounce their defence, or forfeit their old +hereditary privilege, to be called the bravest of mankind. Their +cries of defiance and resistance were heard resounding above the +groans of the wounded, the shouts of the triumphant assailants, +and the universal tumult of the night-battle. It was not until the +morning light began to peep forth, that the slaughter or +dispersion of Gwenwyn's forces was complete, and that the +"earthquake voice of victory" arose in uncontrolled and unmingled +energy of exultation. + +Then the besieged, if they could be still so termed, looking from +their towers over the expanded country beneath, witnessed nothing +but one widespread scene of desultory flight and unrelaxed +pursuit. That the Welsh had been permitted to encamp in fancied +security upon the hither side of the river, now rendered their +discomfiture more dreadfully fatal. The single pass by which they +could cross to the other side was soon completely choked by +fugitives, on whose rear raged the swords of the victorious +Normans. Many threw themselves into the river, upon the precarious +chance of gaining the farther side, and, except a few, who were +uncommonly strong, skilful, and active, perished among the rocks +and in the currents; others, more fortunate, escaped by fords, +with which they had accidentally been made acquainted; many +dispersed, or, in small bands, fled in reckless despair towards +the castle, as if the fortress, which had beat them off when +victorious, could be a place of refuge to them in their present +forlorn condition; while others roamed wildly over the plain, +seeking only escape from immediate and instant danger, without +knowing whither they ran. + +The Normans, meanwhile, divided into small parties, followed and +slaughtered them at pleasure; while, as a rallying point for the +victors, the banner of Hugo de Lacy streamed from a small mount, +on which Gwenwyn had lately pitched his own, and surrounded by a +competent force, both of infantry and horsemen, which the +experienced Baron permitted on no account to wander far from it. + +The rest, as we have already said, followed the chase with shouts +of exultation and of vengeance, ringing around the battlements, +which resounded with the cries, "Ha, Saint Edward!--Ha, Saint +Dennis!--Strike--slay--no quarter to the Welsh wolves--think on +Raymond Berenger!" + +The soldiers on the walls joined in these vengeful and victorious +clamours, and discharged several sheaves of arrows upon such +fugitives, as, in their extremity, approached too near the castle. +They would fain have sallied to give more active assistance in the +work of destruction; but the communication being now open with the +Constable of Chester's forces, Wilkin Flammock considered himself +and the garrison to be under the orders of that renowned chief, +and refused to listen to the eager admonitions of Father +Aldrovand, who would, notwithstanding his sacerdotal character, +have willingly himself taken charge of the sally which he +proposed. + +At length, the scene of slaughter seemed at an end. The retreat +was blown on many a bugle, and knights halted on the plain to +collect their personal followers, muster them under their proper +pennon, and then march them slowly back to the great standard of +their leader, around which the main body were again to be +assembled, like the clouds which gather around the evening sun--a +fanciful simile, which might yet be drawn farther, in respect of +the level rays of strong lurid light which shot from those dark +battalions, as the beams were flung back from their polished +armour. + +The plain was in this manner soon cleared of the horsemen, and +remained occupied only by the dead bodies of the slaughtered +Welshmen. The bands who had followed the pursuit to a greater +distance were also now seen returning, driving before them, or +dragging after them, dejected and unhappy captives, to whom they +had given quarter when their thirst of blood was satiated. + +It was then that, desirous to attract the attention of his +liberators, Wilkin Flammock commanded all the banners of the +castle to be displayed, under a general shout of acclamation from +those who had fought under them. It was answered by a universal +cry of joy from De Lacy's army, which rung so wide, as might even +yet have startled such of the Welsh fugitives, as, far distant +from this disastrous field of flight, might have ventured to halt +for a moment's repose. + +Presently after this greeting had been exchanged, a single rider +advanced from the Constable's army towards the castle, showing, +even at a distance, an unusual dexterity of horsemanship and grace +of deportment. He arrived at the drawbridge, which was instantly +lowered to receive him, whilst Flammock and the monk (for the +latter, as far as he could, associated himself with the former in +all acts of authority) hastened to receive the envoy of their +liberator. They found him just alighted from the raven-coloured +horse, which was slightly flecked with blood as well as foam, and +still panted with the exertions of the evening; though, answering +to the caressing hand of its youthful rider, he arched his neck, +shook his steel caparison, and snorted to announce his unabated +mettle and unwearied love of combat. The young man's eagle look +bore the same token of unabated vigour, mingled with the signs of +recent exertion. His helmet hanging at his saddle-bow, showed a +gallant countenance, coloured highly, but not inflamed, which +looked out from a rich profusion of short chestnut-curls; and +although his armour was of a massive and simple form, he moved +under it with such elasticity and ease, that it seemed a graceful +attire, not a burden or encumbrance. A furred mantle had not sat +on him with more easy grace than the heavy hauberk, which complied +with every gesture of his noble form. Yet his countenance was so +juvenile, that only the down on the upper lip announced decisively +the approach to manhood. The females, who thronged into the court +to see the first envoy of their deliverers, could not forbear +mixing praises of his beauty with blessings on his valour; and one +comely middle-aged dame, in particular, distinguished by the +tightness with which her scarlet hose sat on a well-shaped leg and +ankle, and by the cleanness of her coif, pressed close up to the +young squire, and, more forward than, the rest, doubled the +crimson hue of his cheek, by crying aloud, that Our Lady of the +Garde Doloureuse had sent them news of their redemption by an +angel from the sanctuary;--a speech which, although Father +Aldrovand shook his head, was received by her companions with such +general acclamation, as greatly embarrassed the young man's +modesty. + +"Peace, all of ye!" said Wilkin Flammock--"Know you no respects, +you women, or have you never seen a young gentleman before, that +you hang on him like flies on a honeycomb? Stand back, I say, and +let us hear in peace what are the commands of the noble Lord of +Lacy." + +"These," said the young man, "I can only deliver in the presence +of the right noble demoiselle, Eveline Berenger, if I may be +thought worthy of such honour." + +"That thou art, noble sir," said the same forward dame, who had +before expressed her admiration so energetically; "I will uphold +thee worthy of her presence, and whatever other grace a lady can +do thee." + +"Now, hold thy tongue, with a wanion!" said the monk; while in the +same breath the Fleming exclaimed, "Beware the cucking-stool, +Dame Scant-o'-Grace!" while he conducted the noble youth across +the court. "Let my good horse be cared for," said the cavalier, +as he put the bridle into the hand of a menial; and in doing so +got rid of some part of his female retinue, who began to pat and +praise the steed as much as they had done the rider; and some, in +the enthusiasm of their joy, hardly abstained from kissing the +stirrups and horse furniture. + +But Dame Gillian was not so easily diverted from her own point as +were some of her companions. She continued to repeat the word +_cucking-stool_, till the Fleming was out of hearing, and +then became more specific in her objurgation.--"And why +_cucking-stool_, I pray, Sir Wilkin Butterfirkin? You are the +man would stop an English mouth with a Flemish damask napkin, I +trow! Marry quep, my cousin the weaver! And why the cucking-stool, +I pray?--because my young lady is comely, and the young squire is +a man of mettle, reverence to his beard that is to come yet! Have +we not eyes to see, and have we not a mouth and a tongue?" + +"In troth, Dame Gillian, they do you wrong who doubt it," said +Eveline's nurse, who stood by; "but I prithee, keep it shut now, +were it but for womanhood." + +"How now, mannerly Mrs. Margery?" replied the incorrigible +Gillian; "is your heart so high, because you dandled our young +lady on your knee fifteen years since?--Let me tell you, the cat +will find its way to the cream, though it was brought up on an +abbess's lap." + +"Home, housewife--home!" exclaimed her husband, the old huntsman, +who was weary of this public exhibition of his domestic termagant +--"home, or I will give you a taste of my dog lash--Here are both +the confessor and Wilkin Flammock wondering at your impudence." + +"Indeed!" replied Gillian; "and are not two fools enough for +wonderment, that you must come with your grave pate to make up the +number three?" + +There was a general laugh at the huntsman's expense, under cover +of which he prudently withdrew his spouse, without attempting to +continue the war of tongues, in which she had shown such a decided +superiority. This controversy, so light is the change in human +spirits, especially among the lower class, awakened bursts of idle +mirth among beings, who had so lately been in the jaws of danger, +if not of absolute despair. + + + + +CHAPTER THE TENTH + + + They bore him barefaced on his bier, + Six proper youths and tall, + And many a tear bedew'd his grave + Within yon kirkyard wall. + THE FRIAR OF ORDERS GRAY. + + +While these matters took place in the castle-yard, the young +squire, Damian Lacy, obtained the audience which he had requested +of Eveline Berenger, who received him in the great hall of the +castle, seated beneath the dais, or canopy, and waited upon by +Rose and other female attendants; of whom the first alone was +permitted to use a tabouret or small stool in her presence, so +strict were the Norman maidens of quality in maintaining their +claims to high rank and observance. + +The youth was introduced by the confessor and Flammock, as the +spiritual character of the one, and the trust reposed by her late +father in the other, authorized them to be present upon the +occasion. Eveline naturally blushed, as she advanced two steps to +receive the handsome youthful envoy; and her bashfulness seemed +infectious, for it was with some confusion that Damian went +through the ceremony of saluting the hand which she extended +towards him in token of welcome. Eveline was under the necessity +of speaking first. + +"We advance as far as our limits will permit us," she said, "to +greet with our thanks the messenger who brings us tidings of +safety. We speak--unless we err--to the noble Damian of Lacy?" + +"To the humblest of your servants," answered Damian, falling with +some difficulty into the tone of courtesy which his errand and +character required, "who approaches you on behalf of his noble +uncle, Hugo de Lacy, Constable of Chester." + +"Will not our noble deliverer in person honour with his presence +the poor dwelling which he has saved?" + +"My noble kinsman," answered Damian, "is now God's soldier, and +bound by a vow not to come beneath a roof until he embark for the +Holy Land. But by my voice he congratulates you on the defeat of +your savage enemies, and sends you these tokens that the comrade +and friend of your noble father hath not left his lamentable death +many hours unavenged." So saying, he drew forth and laid before +Eveline the gold bracelets, the coronet, and the eudorchawg, or +chain of linked gold, which had distinguished the rank of the +Welsh Prince. [Footnote: Eudorchawg, or Gold Chains of the Welsh. +These were the distinguished marks of rank and valour among the +numerous tribes of Celtic extraction. Manlius, the Roman Champion, +gained the name of Torquatus, or he of the chain, on account of an +ornament of this kind, won, in single combat, from a gigantic +Gaul. Aneurin, the Welsh bard, mentions, in his poem on the battle +of Catterath, that no less than three hundred of the British, who +fell there, had their necks wreathed with the Eudorchawg. This +seems to infer that the chain was a badge of distinction, and +valour perhaps, but not of royalty; otherwise there would scarce +have been so many kings present in one battle. This chain has been +found accordingly in Ireland and Wales, and sometimes, though more +rarely, in Scotland. Doubtless it was of too precious materials +not to be usually converted into money by the enemy into whose +hands it fell.] + +"Gwenwyn hath then fallen?" said Eveline, a natural shudder +combating with the feelings of gratified vengeance, as she beheld +that the trophies were speckled with blood,--"The slayer of my +father is no more!" + +"My kinsman's lance transfixed the Briton as he endeavoured to +rally his flying people--he died grimly on the weapon which had +passed more than a fathom through his body, and exerted his last +strength in a furious but ineffectual blow with his mace." "Heaven +is just," said Eveline; "may his sins be forgiven to the man of +blood, since he hath fallen by a death so bloody!--One question I +would ask you, noble sir. My father's remains----" She paused +unable to proceed. "An hour will place them at your disposal, most +honoured lady," replied the squire, in the tone of sympathy which +the sorrows of so young and so fair an orphan called irresistibly +forth. "Such preparations as time admitted were making even when I +left the host, to transport what was mortal of the noble Berenger +from the field on which we found him amid a monument of slain +which his own sword had raised. My kinsman's vow will not allow +him to pass your portcullis; but, with your permission, I will +represent him, if such be your pleasure, at these honoured +obsequies, having charge to that effect." + +"My brave and noble father," said Eveline, making an effort to +restrain her tears, "will be best mourned by the noble and the +brave." She would have continued, but her voice failed her, and +she was obliged to withdraw abruptly, in order to give vent to her +sorrow, and prepare for the funeral rites with such ceremony as +circumstances should permit. Damian bowed to the departing mourner +as reverently as he would have done to a divinity, and taking his +horse, returned to his uncle's host, which had encamped hastily on +the recent field of battle. + +The sun was now high, and the whole plain presented the appearance +of a bustle, equally different from the solitude of the early +morning, and from the roar and fury of the subsequent engagement. +The news of Hugo de Lacy's victory every where spread abroad with +all alacrity of triumph, and had induced many of the inhabitants +of the country, who had fled before the fury of the Wolf of +Plinlimmon, to return to their desolate habitations. Numbers also +of the loose and profligate characters which abound in a country +subject to the frequent changes of war, had flocked thither in +quest of spoil, or to gratify a spirit of restless curiosity. The +Jew and the Lombard, despising danger where there was a chance of +gain, might be already seen bartering liquors and wares with the +victorious men-at-arms, for the blood-stained ornaments of gold +lately worn by the defeated British. Others acted as brokers +betwixt the Welsh captives and their captors; and where they could +trust the means and good faith of the former, sometimes became +bound for, or even advanced in ready money, the sums necessary for +their ransom; whilst a more numerous class became themselves the +purchasers of those prisoners who had no immediate means of +settling with their conquerors. + +That the spoil thus acquired might not long encumber the soldier, +or blunt his ardour for farther enterprise, the usual means of +dissipating military spoils were already at hand. Courtezans, +mimes, jugglers, minstrels, and tale-tellers of every description, +had accompanied the night-march; and, secure in the military +reputation of the celebrated De Lacy, had rested fearlessly at +some little distance until the battle was fought and won. These +now approached, in many a joyous group, to congratulate the +victors. Close to the parties which they formed for the dance, the +song, or the tale, upon the yet bloody field, the countrymen, +summoned in for the purpose, were opening large trenches for +depositing the dead--leeches were seen tending the wounded-- +priests and monks confessing those in extremity--soldiers +transporting from the field the bodies of the more honoured among +the slain--peasants mourning over their trampled crops and +plundered habitations--and widows and orphans searching for the +bodies of husbands and parents, amid the promiscuous carnage of +two combats. Thus wo mingled her wildest notes with those of +jubilee and bacchanal triumph, and the plain of the Garde +Doloureuse formed a singular parallel to the varied maze of human +life, where joy and grief are so strangely mixed, and where the +confines of mirth and pleasure often border on those of sorrow and +of death. + +About noon these various noises were at once silenced, and the +attention alike of those who rejoiced or grieved was arrested by +the loud and mournful sound of six trumpets, which, uplifting and +uniting their thrilling tones in a wild and melancholy death-note, +apprised all, that the obsequies of the valiant Raymond Berenger +were about to commence. From a tent, which had been hastily +pitched for the immediate reception of the body, twelve black +monks, the inhabitants of a neighbouring convent, began to file +out in pairs, headed by their abbot, who bore a large cross, and +thundered forth the sublime notes of the Catholic _Miserere me, +Domine_. Then came a chosen body of men-at-arms, trailing their +lances, with their points reversed and pointed to the earth; and +after them the body of the valiant Berenger, wrapped in his own +knightly banner, which, regained from the hands of the Welsh, now +served its noble owner instead of a funeral pall. The most gallant +Knights of the Constable's household (for, like other great nobles +of that period, he had formed it upon a scale which approached to +that of royalty) walked as mourners and supporters of the corpse, +which was borne upon lances; and the Constable of Chester himself, +alone and fully armed, excepting the head, followed as chief +mourner. A chosen body of squires, men-at-arms, and pages of noble +descent, brought up the rear of the procession; while their nakers +and trumpets echoed back, from time to time, the melancholy song +of the monks, by replying in a note as lugubrious as their own. + +The course of pleasure was arrested, and even that of sorrow was +for a moment turned from her own griefs, to witness the last +honours bestowed on him, who had been in life the father and +guardian of his people. + +The mournful procession traversed slowly the plain which had been +within a few hours the scene of such varied events; and, pausing +before the outer gate of the barricades of the castle, invited, by +a prolonged and solemn flourish, the fortress to receive the +remains of its late gallant defender. The melancholy summons was +answered by the warder's horn--the drawbridge sunk--the portcullis +rose--and Father Aldrovand appeared in the middle of the gateway, +arrayed in his sacerdotal habit, whilst a little way behind him +stood the orphaned damsel, in such weeds of mourning as time +admitted, supported by her attendant Rose, and followed by the +females of the household. + +The Constable of Chester paused upon the threshold of the outer +gate, and, pointing to the cross signed in white cloth upon his +left shoulder, with a lowly reverence resigned to his nephew, +Damian, the task of attending the remains of Raymond Berenger to +the chapel within the castle. The soldiers of Hugo de Lacy, most +of whom were bound by the same vow with himself, also halted +without the castle gate, and remained under arms, while the death- +peal of the chapel bell announced from within the progress of the +procession. + +It winded on through those narrow entrances, which were skilfully +contrived to interrupt the progress of an enemy, even should he +succeed in forcing the outer gate, and arrived at length in the +great court-yard, where most of the inhabitants of the fortress, +and those who, under recent circumstances, had taken refuge there, +were drawn up, in order to look, for the last time, on their +departed lord. Among these were mingled a few of the motley crowd +from without, whom curiosity, or the expectation of a dole, had +brought to the castle gate, and who, by one argument or another, +had obtained from the warder permission to enter the interior. + +The body was here set down before the door of the chapel, the +ancient Gothic front of which formed one side of the court-yard, +until certain prayers were recited by the priests, in which the +crowd around were supposed to join with becoming reverence. + +It was during this interval, that a man, whose peaked beard, +embroidered girdle, and high-crowned hat of gray felt, gave him +the air of a Lombard merchant, addressed Margery, the nurse of +Eveline, in a whispering tone, and with a foreign accent.--"I am a +travelling merchant, good sister, and am come hither in quest of +gain--can you tell me whether I can have any custom in this +castle?" + +"You are come at an evil time, Sir Stranger--you may yourself see +that this is a place for mourning and not for merchandise." + +"Yet mourning times have their own commerce," said the stranger, +approaching still closer to the side of Margery, and lowering his +voice to a tone yet more confidential. "I have sable scarfs of +Persian silk--black bugles, in which a princess might mourn for a +deceased monarch--cyprus, such as the East hath seldom sent forth +--black cloth for mourning hangings--all that may express sorrow +and reverence in fashion and attire; and I know how to be grateful +to those who help me to custom. Come, bethink you, good dame--such +things must be had--I will sell as good ware and as cheap as +another; and a kirtle to yourself, or, at your pleasure, a purse +with five florins, shall be the meed of your kindness." + +"I prithee peace, friend," said Margery, "and choose a better time +for vaunting your wares--you neglect both place and season; and if +you be farther importunate, I must speak to those who will show +you the outward side of the castle gate. I marvel the warders +would admit pedlars upon a day such as this--they would drive a +gainful bargain by the bedside of their mother, were she dying, I +trow." So saying, she turned scornfully from him. + +While thus angrily rejected on the one side, the merchant felt his +cloak receive an intelligent twitch upon the other, and, looking +round upon the signal, he saw a dame, whose black kerchief was +affectedly disposed, so as to give an appearance of solemnity to a +set of light laughing features, which must have been captivating +when young, since they retained so many good points when at least +forty years had passed over them. She winked to the merchant, +touching at the same time her under lip with her forefinger, to +announce the propriety of silence and secrecy; then gliding from +the crowd, retreated to a small recess formed by a projecting +buttress of the chapel, as if to avoid the pressure likely to take +place at the moment when the bier should be lifted. The merchant +failed not to follow her example, and was soon by her side, when +she did not give him the trouble of opening his affairs, but +commenced the conversation herself. + +"I have heard what you said to our Dame Margery--Mannerly Margery, +as I call her--heard as much, at least, as led me to guess the +rest, for I have got an eye in my head, I promise you." + +"A pair of them, my pretty dame, and as bright as drops of dew in +a May morning." + +"Oh, you say so, because I have been weeping," said the scarlet- +hosed Gillian, for it was even herself who spoke; "and to be sure, +I have good cause, for our lord was always my very good lord, and +would sometimes chuck me under the chin, and call me buxom Gillian +of Croydon--not that the good gentleman was ever uncivil, for he +would thrust a silver twopennies into my hand at the same time.-- +Oh! the friend that I have lost!--And I have had anger on his +account too--I have seen old Raoul as sour as vinegar, and fit for +no place but the kennel for a whole day about it; but, as I said +to him, it was not for the like of me, to be affronting our +master, and a great baron, about a chuck under the chin, or a +kiss, or such like." + +"No wonder you are so sorry for so kind a master, dame," said the +merchant. + +"No wonder, indeed," replied the dame, with a sigh; "and then what +is to become of us?--It is like my young mistress will go to her +aunt--or she will marry one of these Lacys that they talk so much +of--or, at any rate, she will leave the castle; and it's like old +Raoul and I will be turned to grass with the lord's old chargers. +The Lord knows, they may as well hang him up with the old hounds, +for he is both footless and fangless, and fit for nothing on earth +that I know of." + +"Your young mistress is that lady in the mourning mantle," said +the merchant, "who so nearly sunk down upon the body just now?" + +"In good troth is she, sir--and much cause she has to sink down. I +am sure she will be to seek for such another father." + +"I see you are a most discerning woman, gossip Gillian," answered +the merchant; "and yonder youth that supported her is her +bridegroom?" + +"Much need she has for some one to support her," said Gillian; +"and so have I for that matter, for what can poor old rusty Raoul +do?" + +"But as to your young lady's marriage?" said the merchant. + +"No one knows more, than that such a thing was in treaty between +our late lord and the great Constable of Chester, that came to-day +but just in time to prevent the Welsh from cutting all our +throats, and doing the Lord knoweth what mischief beside. But +there is a marriage talked of, that is certain--and most folk +think it must be for this smooth-cheeked boy, Damian, as they call +him; for though the Constable has gotten a beard, which his nephew +hath not, it is something too grizzled for a bridegroom's chin-- +Besides, he goes to the Holy Wars--fittest place for all elderly +warriors--I wish he would take Raoul with him.--But what is all +this to what you were saying about your mourning wares even now?-- +It is a sad truth, that my poor lord is gone--But what then?-- +Well-a-day, you know the good old saw,-- + + 'Cloth must be wear, + Eat beef and drink beer, + Though the dead go to bier.' + +And for your merchandising, I am as like to help you with my good +word as Mannerly Margery, provided you bid fair for it; since, if +the lady loves me not so much, I can turn the steward round my +finger." + +"Take this in part of your bargain, pretty Mistress Gillian," said +the merchant; "and when my wains come up, I will consider you +amply, if I get good sale by your favourable report.--But how +shall I get into the castle again? for I would wish to consult +you, being a sensible woman, before I come in with my luggage." + +"Why," answered the complaisant dame, "if our English be on guard, +you have only to ask for Gillian, and they will open the wicket to +any single man at once; for we English stick all together, were it +but to spite the Normans;--but if a Norman be on duty, you must +ask for old Raoul, and say you come to speak of dogs and hawks for +sale, and I warrant you come to speech of me that way. If the +sentinel be a Fleming, you have but to say you are a merchant, and +he will let you in for the love of trade." + +The merchant repeated his thankful acknowledgment, glided from her +side, and mixed among the spectators, leaving her to congratulate +herself on having gained a brace of florins by the indulgence of +her natural talkative humour; for which, on other occasions, she +had sometimes dearly paid. + +The ceasing of the heavy toll of the castle bell now gave +intimation that the noble Raymond Berenger had been laid in the +vault with his fathers. That part of the funeral attendants who +had come from the host of De Lacy, now proceeded to the castle +hall, where they partook, but with temperance, of some +refreshments which were offered as a death-meal; and presently +after left the castle, headed by young Damian, in the same slow +and melancholy form in which they had entered. The monks remained +within the castle to sing repeated services for the soul of the +deceased, and for those of his faithful men-at-arms who had fallen +around him, and who had been so much mangled during, and after, +the contest with the Welsh, that it was scarce possible to know +one individual from another; otherwise the body of Dennis Morolt +would have obtained, as his faith well deserved, the honours of a +separate funeral. [Footnote: The Welsh, a fierce and barbarous +people, were often accused of mangling the bodies of their slain +antagonists. Every one must remember Shakspeare's account, how + + -----"the noble Mortimer, + Leading the men of Herefordshire to fight, + Against the irregular and wild Glendower-- + Was, by the rude hands of that Welshman taken, + And a thousand of his people butchered; + + Upon whose dead corpse there was such misuse, + Such beastly, shameless transformation, + By these Welshwomen done, as may not be, + Without much shame, retold or spoken of."] + + + + +CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH. + + + ----The funeral baked meats + Did coldly furnish forth the marriage table. + HAMLET. + + +The religious rites which followed the funeral of Raymond +Berenger, endured without interruption for the period of six days; +during which, alms were distributed to the poor, and relief +administered, at the expense of the Lady Eveline, to all those who +had suffered by the late inroad. Death-meals, as they were termed, +were also spread in honour of the deceased; but the lady herself, +and most of her attendants, observed a stern course of vigil, +discipline, and fasts, which appeared to the Normans a more +decorous manner of testifying their respect for the dead, than the +Saxon and Flemish custom of banqueting and drinking inordinately +upon such occasions. + +Meanwhile, the Constable De Lacy retained a large body of his men +encamped under the walls of the Garde Doloureuse, for protection +against some new irruption of the Welsh, while with the rest he +took advantage of his victory, and struck terror into the British +by many well-conducted forays, marked with ravages scarcely less +hurtful than their own. Among the enemy, the evils of discord were +added to those of defeat and invasion; for two distant relations +of Gwenwyn contended for the throne he had lately occupied, and on +this, as on many other occasions, the Britons suffered as much +from internal dissension as from the sword of the Normans. A worse +politician, and a less celebrated soldier, than the sagacious and +successful De Lacy, could not have failed, under such +circumstances, to negotiate as he did an advantageous peace, +which, while it deprived Powys of a part of its frontier, and the +command of some important passes, in which it was the Constable's +purpose to build castles, rendered the Garde Doloureuse more +secure than formerly, from any sudden attack on the part of +their fiery and restless neighbours. De Lacy's care also went to +re-establishing those settlers who had fled from their possessions, +and putting the whole lordship, which now descended upon an +unprotected female, into a state of defence as perfect as its +situation on a hostile frontier could possibly permit. + +Whilst thus anxiously provident in the affairs of the orphan of +the Garde Doloureuse, De Lacy during the space we have mentioned, +sought not to disturb her filial grief by any personal +intercourse. His nephew, indeed, was despatched by times every +morning to lay before her his uncle's _devoirs,_ in the high- +flown language of the day, and acquaint her with the steps which +he had taken in her affairs. As a meed due to his relative's high +services, Damian was always admitted to see Eveline on such +occasions, and returned charged with her grateful thanks, and her +implicit acquiescence in whatever the Constable proposed for her +consideration. + +But when the days of rigid mourning were elapsed, the young de +Lacy stated, on the part of his kinsman, that his treaty with the +Welsh being concluded, and all things in the district arranged as +well as circumstances would permit, the Constable of Chester now +proposed to return into his own territory, in order to resume his +instant preparations for the Holy Land, which the duty of +chastising her enemies had for some days interrupted. + +"And will not the noble Constable, before he departs from this +place," said Eveline, with a burst of gratitude which the occasion +well merited, "receive the personal thanks of her that was ready +to perish, when he so valiantly came to her aid?" + +"It was even on that point that I was commissioned to speak," +replied Damian; "but my noble kinsman feels diffident to propose +to you that which he most earnestly desires--the privilege of +speaking to your own ear certain matters of high import, and with +which he judges it fit to intrust no third party." + +"Surely," said the maiden, blushing, "there can be nought beyond +the bounds of maidenhood, in my seeing the noble Constable +whenever such is his pleasure." + +"But his vow," replied Damian, "binds my kinsman not to come +beneath a roof until he sets sail for Palestine; and in order to +meet him, you must grace him so far as to visit his pavilion;--a +condescension which, as a knight and Norman noble, he can scarcely +ask of a damsel of high degree." + +"And is that all?" said Eveline, who, educated in a remote +situation, was a stranger to some of the nice points of etiquette +which the damsels of the time observed in keeping their state +towards the other sex. "Shall I not," she said, "go to render my +thanks to my deliverer, since he cannot come hither to receive +them? Tell the noble Hugo de Lacy, that, next to my gratitude to +Heaven, it is due to him, and to his brave companions in arms. I +will come to his tent as to a holy shrine; and, could such homage +please him, I would come barefooted, were the road strewed with +flints and with thorns." + +"My uncle will be equally honoured and delighted with your +resolve," said Damian; "but it will be his study to save you all +unnecessary trouble, and with that view a pavilion shall be +instantly planted before your castle gate, which, if it please you +to grace it with your presence, may be the place for the desired +interview." + +Eveline readily acquiesced in what was proposed, as the expedient +agreeable to the Constable, and recommended by Damian; but, in the +simplicity of her heart, she saw no good reason why, under the +guardianship of the latter, she should not instantly, and without +farther form, have traversed the little familiar plain on which, +when a child, she used to chase butterflies and gather king's- +cups, and where of later years she was wont to exercise her +palfrey on this well-known plain, being the only space, and that +of small extent, which separated her from the camp of the +Constable. + +The youthful emissary, with whose presence she had now become +familiar, retired to acquaint his kinsman and lord with the +success of his commission; and Eveline experienced the first +sensation of anxiety upon her own account which had agitated her +bosom, since the defeat and death of Gwenwyn gave her permission +to dedicate her thoughts exclusively to grief, for the loss which +she had sustained in the person of her noble father. But now, when +that grief, though not satiated, was blunted by solitary +indulgence--now that she was to appear before the person of whose +fame she had heard so much, of whose powerful protection she had +received such recent proofs, her mind insensibly turned upon the +nature and consequences of that important interview. She had seen +Hugo de Lacy, indeed, at the great tournament at Chester, where +his valour and skill were the theme of every tongue, and she had +received the homage which he rendered her beauty when he assigned +to her the prize, with all the gay flutterings of youthful vanity; +but of his person and figure she had no distinct idea, excepting +that he was a middle-sized man, dressed in peculiarly rich armour, +and that the countenance, which looked out from under the shade of +his raised visor, seemed to her juvenile estimate very nearly as +old as that of her father. This person, of whom she had such +slight recollection, had been the chosen instrument employed by +her tutelar protectress in rescuing her from captivity, and in +avenging the loss of a father, and she was bound by her vow to +consider him as the arbiter of her fate, if indeed he should deem +it worth his while to become so. She wearied her memory with vain +efforts to recollect so much of his features as might give her +some means of guessing at his disposition, and her judgment toiled +in conjecturing what line of conduct he was likely to pursue +towards her. + +The great Baron himself seemed to attach to their meeting a degree +of consequence, which was intimated by the formal preparations +which he made for it. Eveline had imagined that he might have +ridden to the gate of the castle in five minutes, and that, if a +pavilion were actually necessary to the decorum of their +interview, a tent could have been transferred from his leaguer to +the castle gate, and pitched there in ten minutes more. But it was +plain that the Constable considered much more form and ceremony as +essential to their meeting; for in about half an hour after Damian +de Lacy had left the castle, not fewer than twenty soldiers and +artificers, under the direction of a pursuivant, whose tabard was +decorated with the armorial bearings of the house of Lacy, were +employed in erecting before the gate of the Garde Doloureuse one +of those splendid pavilions, which were employed at tournaments +and other occasions of public state. It was of purple silk, +valanced with gold embroidery, having the chords of the same rich +materials. The door-way was formed by six lances, the staves of +which were plaited with silver, and the blades composed of the +same precious metal. These were pitched into the ground by +couples, and crossed at the top, so as to form a sort of +succession of arches, which were covered by drapery of sea-green +silk, forming a pleasing contrast with the purple and gold. + +The interior of the tent was declared by Dame Gillian and others, +whose curiosity induced them to visit it, to be of a splendour +agreeing with the outside. There were Oriental carpets, and there +were tapestries of Ghent and Bruges mingled in gay profusion, +while the top of the pavilion, covered with sky-blue silk, was +arranged so as to resemble the firmament, and richly studded with +a sun, moon, and stars, composed of solid silver. This gorgeous +pavilion had been made for the use of the celebrated William of +Ypres, who acquired such great wealth as general of the +mercenaries of King Stephen, and was by him created Earl of +Albemarle; but the chance of War had assigned it to De Lacy, after +one of the dreadful engagements, so many of which occurred during +the civil wars betwixt Stephen and the Empress Maude, or Matilda. +The Constable had never before been known to use it; for although +wealthy and powerful, Hugo de Lacy was, on most occasions, plain +and unostentatious; which, to those who knew him, made his present +conduct seem the more remarkable. At the hour of noon he arrived, +nobly mounted, at the gate of the castle, and drawing up a small +body of servants, pages, and equerries, who attended him in their +richest liveries, placed himself at their head, and directed his +nephew to intimate to the Lady of the Garde Doloureuse, that the +humblest of her servants awaited the honour of her presence at the +castle gate. + +Among the spectators who witnessed his arrival, there were many +who thought that some part of the state and splendour attached to +his pavilion and his retinue, had been better applied to set forth +the person of the Constable himself, as his attire was simple even +to meanness, and his person by no means of such distinguished +bearing as might altogether dispense with the advantages of dress +and ornament. The opinion became yet more prevalent, when he +descended from horseback, until which time his masterly management +of the noble animal he bestrode, gave a dignity to his person and +figure, which he lost upon dismounting from his steel saddle. In +height, the celebrated Constable scarce attained the middle size, +and his limbs, though strongly built and well knit, were deficient +in grace and ease of movement. His legs were slightly curved +outwards, which gave him advantage as a horseman, but showed +unfavourably when he was upon foot. He halted, though very +slightly, in consequence of one of his legs having been broken by +the fall of a charger, and inartificially set by an inexperienced +surgeon. This, also, was a blemish in his deportment; and though +his broad shoulders, sinewy arms, and expanded chest, betokened +the strength which he often displayed, it was strength of a clumsy +and ungraceful character. His language and gestures were those of +one seldom used to converse with equals, more seldom still with +superiors; short, abrupt, and decisive, almost to the verge of +sternness. In the judgment of those who were habitually acquainted +with the Constable, there was both dignity and kindness in his +keen eye and expanded brow; but such as saw him for the first time +judged less favourably, and pretended to discover a harsh and +passionate expression, although they allowed his countenance to +have, on the whole, a bold and martial character. His age was in +reality not more than five-and-forty, but the fatigues of war and +of climate had added in appearance ten years to that period of +time. By far the plainest dressed man of his train, he wore only a +short Norman mantle, over the close dress of shamois-leather, +which, almost always covered by his armour, was in some places +slightly soiled by its pressure. A brown hat, in which he wore a +sprig of rosemary in memory of his vow, served for his head-gear-- +his good sword and dagger hung at a belt made of seal-skin. + +Thus accoutred, and at the head of a glittering and gilded band of +retainers, who watched his lightest glance, the Constable of +Chester awaited the arrival of the Lady Eveline Berenger, at the +gate of her castle of Garde Doloureuse. + +The trumpets from within announced her presence--the bridge fell, +and, led by Damian de Lacy in his gayest habit, and followed by +her train of females, and menial or vassal attendants, she came +forth in her loveliness from under the massive and antique portal +of her paternal fortress. She was dressed without ornaments of any +kind, and in deep mourning weeds, as best befitted her recent +loss; forming, in this respect, a strong contrast with the rich +attire of her conductor, whose costly dress gleamed with jewels +and embroidery, while their age and personal beauty made them in +every other respect the fair counterpart of each other; a +circumstance which probably gave rise to the delighted murmur and +buzz which passed through the bystanders on their appearance, and +which only respect for the deep mourning of Eveline prevented from +breaking out into shouts of applause. + +The instant that the fair foot of Eveline had made a step beyond +the palisades which formed the outward barrier of the castle, the +Constable de Lacy stepped forward to meet her, and, bending his +right knee to the earth, craved pardon for the discourtesy which +his vow had imposed on him, while he expressed his sense of the +honour with which she now graced him, as one for which his life, +devoted to her service, would be an inadequate acknowledgment. + +The action and speech, though both in consistence with the +romantic gallantry of the times, embarrassed Eveline; and the +rather that this homage was so publicly rendered. She entreated +the Constable to stand up, and not to add to the confusion of one +who was already sufficiently at a loss how to acquit herself of +the heavy debt of gratitude which she owed him. The Constable +arose accordingly, after saluting her hand, which she extended to +him, and prayed her, since she was so far condescending, to deign +to enter the poor hut he had prepared for her shelter, and to +grant him the honour of the audience he had solicited. Eveline, +without farther answer than a bow, yielded him her hand, and +desiring the rest of her train to remain where they were, +commanded the attendance of Rose Flammock. + +"Lady," said the Constable, "the matters of which I am compelled +thus hastily to speak, are of a nature the most private." + +"This maiden," replied Eveline, "is my bower-woman, and acquainted +with my most inward thoughts; I beseech you to permit her presence +at our conference." + +"It were better otherwise," said Hugo de Lacy, with some +embarrassment; "but your pleasure shall be obeyed." + +He led the Lady Eveline into the tent, and entreated her to be +seated on a large pile of cushions, covered with rich Venetian +silk. Rose placed herself behind her mistress, half kneeling upon +the same cushions, and watched the motions of the all-accomplished +soldier and statesman, whom the voice of fame lauded so loudly; +enjoying his embarrassment as a triumph of her sex, and scarcely +of opinion that his shamois doublet and square form accorded with +the splendour of the scene, or the almost angelic beauty of +Eveline, the other actor therein. + +"Lady," said the Constable, after some hesitation, "I would +willingly say what it is my lot to tell you, in such terms as +ladies love to listen to, and which surely your excellent beauty +more especially deserves; but I have been too long trained in +camps and councils to express my meaning otherwise than simply and +plainly." + +"I shall the more easily understand you, my lord," said Eveline, +trembling, though she scarce knew why. + +"My story, then, must be a blunt one. Something there passed +between your honourable father and myself, touching a union of our +houses."--He paused, as if he wished or expected Eveline to say +something, but, as she was silent, he proceeded. "I would to God, +that, as he was at the beginning of this treaty, it had pleased +Heaven he should have conducted and concluded it with his usual +wisdom; but what remedy?--he has gone the path which we must all +tread." + +"Your lordship," said Eveline, "has nobly avenged the death of +your noble friend." + +"I have but done my devoir, lady, as a good knight, in defence of +an endangered maiden--a Lord Marcher in protection of the +frontier--and a friend in avenging his friend. But to the point.-- +Our long and noble line draws near to a close. Of my remote +kinsman, Randal Lacy, I will not speak; for in him I see nothing +that is good or hopeful, nor have we been at one for many years. +My nephew, Damian, gives hopeful promise to be a worthy branch of +our ancient tree--but he is scarce twenty years old, and hath a +long career of adventure and peril to encounter, ere he can +honourably propose to himself the duties of domestic privacy or +matrimonial engagements. His mother also is English, some +abatentent perhaps in the escutcheon of his arms; yet, had ten +years more passed over him with the honours of chivalry, I should +have proposed Damian de Lacy for the happiness to which I at +present myself aspire." + +"You--you, my lord!--it is impossible!" said Eveline, endeavouring +at the same time to suppress all that could be offensive in the +surprise which she could not help exhibiting. + +"I do not wonder," replied the Constable, calmly,--for the ice +being now broken, he resumed the natural steadiness of his manner +and character,--"that you express surprise at this daring +proposal. I have not perhaps the form that pleases a lady's eye, +and I have forgotten,--that is, if I ever knew them,--the terms +and phrases which please a lady's ear; but, noble Eveline, the +Lady of Hugh de Lacy will be one of the foremost among the +matronage of England." + +"It will the better become the individual to whom so high a +dignity is offered," said Eveline, "to consider how far she is +capable of discharging its duties." + +"Of that I fear nothing," said De Lacy. "She who hath been so +excellent a daughter, cannot be less estimable in every other +relation in life." + +"I do not find that confidence in myself my lord," replied the +embarrassed maiden, "with which you are so willing to load me--And +I--forgive me--must crave time for other inquiries, as well as +those which respect myself." + +"Your father, noble lady, had this union warmly at heart. This +scroll, signed with his own hand, will show it." He bent his knee +as he gave the paper. "The wife of De Lacy will have, as the +daughter of Raymond Berenger merits, the rank of a princess; his +widow, the dowry of a queen." + +"Mock me not with your knee, my lord, while you plead to me the +paternal commands, which, joined to other circumstances"--she +paused, and sighed deeply--"leave me, perhaps, but little room for +free will!" + +Imboldened by this answer, De Lacy, who had hitherto remained on +his knee, rose gently, and assuming a seat beside the Lady +Eveline, continued to press his suit,--not, indeed, in the +language of passion, but of a plain-spoken man, eagerly urging a +proposal on which his happiness depended. The vision of the +miraculous image was, it may be supposed, uppermost in the mind of +Eveline, who, tied down by the solemn vow she had made on that +occasion, felt herself constrained to return evasive answers, +where she might perhaps have given a direct negative, had her own +wishes alone been to decide her reply. + +"You cannot," she said, "expect from me, my lord, in this my so +recent orphan state, that I should come to a speedy determination +upon an affair of such deep importance. Give me leisure of your +nobleness for consideration with myself--for consultation with my +friends." + +"Alas! fair Eveline," said the Baron, "do not be offended at my +urgency. I cannot long delay setting forward on a distant and +perilous expedition; and the short time left me for soliciting +your favour, must be an apology for my importunity." + +"And is it in these circumstances, noble De Lacy, that you would +encumber yourself with family ties?" asked the maiden, timidly. + +"I am God's soldier," said the Constable, "and He, in whose cause +I fight in Palestine, will defend my wife in England." + +"Hear then my present answer, my lord," said Eveline Berenger, +rising from her seat. "To-morrow I proceed to the Benedictine +nunnery at Gloucester, where resides my honoured father's sister, +who is Abbess of that reverend house. To her guidance I will +commit myself in this matter." + +"A fair and maidenly resolution," answered De Lacy, who seemed, on +his part, rather glad that the conference was abridged, "and, as I +trust, not altogether unfavourable to the suit of your humble +suppliant, since the good Lady Abbess hath been long my honoured +friend." He then turned to Rose, who was about to attend her +lady:--"Pretty maiden," he said, offering a chain of gold, "let +this carcanet encircle thy neck, and buy thy good will." + +"My good will cannot be purchased, my lord," said Rose, putting +back the gift which he proffered. + +"Your fair word, then," said the Constable, again pressing it upon +her. + +"Fair words are easily bought," said Rose, still rejecting the +chain, "but they are seldom worth the purchase-money." + +"Do you scorn my proffer, damsel?" said De Lacy: "it has graced +the neck of a Norman count." + +"Give it to a Norman countess then, my lord," said the damsel; "I +am plain Rose Flammock, the weaver's daughter. I keep my good word +to go with my good will, and a latten chain will become me as well +as beaten gold." + +"Peace, Rose," said her lady; "you are over malapert to talk thus +to the Lord Constable.--And you, my lord," she continued, "permit +me now to depart, since you are possessed of my answer to your +present proposal. I regret it had not been of some less delicate +nature, that by granting it at once, and without delay, I might +have shown my sense of your services." + +The lady was handed forth by the Constable of Chester, with the +same ceremony which had been observed at their entrance, and she +returned to her own castle, sad and anxious in mind for the event +of this important conference. She gathered closely round her the +great mourning veil, that the alteration of her countenance might +not be observed; and, without pausing to speak even to Father +Aldrovand, she instantly withdrew to the privacy of her own bower. + + + + +CHAPTER THE TWELFTH. + + + Now all ye ladies of fair Scotland, + And ladies of England that happy would prove, + Marry never for houses, nor marry for land, + Nor marry for nothing but only love. + FAMILY QUARRELS. + + +When the Lady Eveline had retired into her own private chamber, +Rose Flammock followed her unbidden, and proffered her assistance +in removing the large veil which she had worn while she was +abroad; but the lady refused her permission, saying, "You are +forward with service, maiden, when it is not required of you." + +"You are displeased with me, lady!" said Rose. + +"And if I am, I have cause," replied Eveline. "You know my +difficulties--you know what my duty demands; yet, instead of +aiding me to make the sacrifice, you render it more difficult." + +"Would I had influence to guide your path!" said Rose; "you should +find it a smooth one--ay, an honest and straight one, to boot." + +"How mean you, maiden?" said Eveline. + +"I would have you," answered Rose, "recall the encouragement--the +consent, I may almost call it, you have yielded to this proud +baron. He is too great to be loved himself--too haughty to love +you as you deserve. If you wed him, you wed gilded misery, and, it +may be, dishonour as well as discontent." + +"Remember, damsel," answered Eveline Berenger, "his services +towards us." + +"His services?" answered Rose. "He ventured his life for us; +indeed, but so did every soldier in his host. And am I bound to +wed any ruffling blade among them, because he fought when the +trumpet sounded? I wonder what, is the meaning of their +_devoir_, as they call it, when it shames them not to claim +the highest reward woman can bestow, merely for discharging the +duty of a gentleman, by a distressed creature. A gentleman, said +I?--The coarsest boor in Flanders would hardly expect thanks for +doing the duty of a man by women in such a case." + +"But my father's wishes?" said the young lady. + +"They had reference, without doubt, to the inclination of your +father's daughter," answered the attendant. "I will not do my late +noble lord--(may God assoilzie him!)--the injustice to suppose he +would have urged aught in this matter which squared not with your +free choice." + +"Then my vow--my fatal vow, as I had well nigh called it?" said +Eveline. "May Heaven forgive me my ingratitude to my patroness!" + +"Even this shakes me not," said Rose; "I will never believe our +Lady of Mercy would exact such a penalty for her protection, as to +desire me to wed the man I could not love. She smiled, you say, +upon your prayer. Go--lay at her feet these difficulties which +oppress you, and see if she will not smile again. Or seek a +dispensation from your vow--seek it at the expense of the half of +your estate,--seek it at the expense of your whole property. Go a +pilgrimage barefooted to Rome--do any thing but give your hand +where you cannot give your heart." + +"You speak warmly, Rose," said Eveline, still sighing as she +spoke. + +"Alas! my sweet lady, I have cause. Have I not seen a household +where love was not--where, although there was worth and good will, +and enough of the means of life, all was imbittered by regrets, +which were not only vain, but criminal?" + +"Yet, methinks, Rose, a sense of what is due to ourselves and to +others may, if listened to, guide and comfort us under such +feelings even as thou hast described." + +"It will save us from sin, lady, but not from sorrow," answered +Rose; "and wherefore should we, with our eyes open, rush into +circumstances where duty must war with inclination?" Why row +against wind and tide, when you may as easily take advantage of +the breeze?" + +"Because the voyage of my life lies where winds and currents +oppose me," answered Eveline. "It is my fate, Rose." + +"Not unless you make it such by choice," answered Rose. "Oh, could +you but have seen the pale cheek, sunken eye, and dejected bearing +of my poor mother!--I have said too much." + +"It was then your mother," said her young lady, "of whose unhappy +wedlock you have spoken?" + +"It was--it was," said Rose, bursting into tears. "I have exposed +my own shame to save you from sorrow. Unhappy she was, though most +guiltless--so unhappy, that the breach of the dike, and the +inundation in which she perished, were, but for my sake, to her +welcome as night to the weary labourer. She had a heart like +yours, formed to love and be loved; and it would be doing honour +to yonder proud Baron, to say he had such worth as my father's.-- +Yet was she most unhappy. Oh! my sweet lady, be warned, and break +off this ill-omened match!" + +Eveline returned the pressure with which the affectionate girl, as +she clung to her hand, enforced her well-meant advice, and then +muttered with a profound sigh,--"Rose, it is too late." + +"Never--never," said Rose, looking eagerly round the room. "Where +are those writing materials?--Let me bring Father Aldrovand, and +instruct him of your pleasure--or, stay, the good father hath +himself an eye on the splendours of the world which he thinks he +has abandoned--he will be no safe secretary.--I will go myself to +the Lord Constable--_me_ his rank cannot dazzle, or his +wealth bribe, or his power overawe. I will tell him he doth no +knightly part towards you, to press his contract with your father +in such an hour of helpless sorrow--no pious part, in delaying the +execution of his vows for the purpose of marrying or giving in +marriage--no honest part, to press himself on a maiden whose heart +has not decided in his favour--no wise part, to marry one whom he +must presently abandon, either to solitude, or to the dangers of a +profligate court." + +"You have not courage for such an embassy, Rose," said her +mistress, sadly smiling through her tears at her youthful +attendant's zeal. + +"Not courage for it!--and wherefore not?--Try me," answered the +Flemish maiden, in return. "I am neither Saracen nor Welshman--his +lance and sword scare me not. I follow not his banner--his voice +of command concerns me not. I could, with your leave, boldly tell +him he is a selfish man, veiling with fair and honourable pretexts +his pursuit of objects which concern his own pride and +gratification, and founding high claims on having rendered the +services which common humanity demanded. And all for what?-- +Forsooth the great De Lacy must have an heir to his noble house, +and his fair nephew is not good enough to be his representative, +because his mother was of Anglo-Saxon strain, and the real heir +must be pure unmixed Norman; and for this, Lady Eveline Berenger, +in the first bloom of youth, must be wedded to a man who might be +her father, and who, after leaving her unprotected for years, will +return in such guise as might beseem her grandfather!" + +"Since he is thus scrupulous concerning purity of lineage," said +Eveline, "perhaps he may call to mind, what so good a herald as he +is cannot fail to know--that I am of Saxon strain by my father's +mother." + +"Oh," replied Rose, "he will forgive that blot in the heiress of +the Garde Doloureuse." + +"Fie, Rose," answered her mistress, "thou dost him wrong in taxing +him with avarice." + +"Perhaps so," answered Rose; "but he is undeniably ambitious; and +Avarice, I have heard, is Ambition's bastard brother, though +Ambition be sometimes ashamed of the relationship." + +"You speak too boldly, damsel," said Eveline; "and, while I +acknowledge your affection, it becomes me to check your mode of +expression." + +"Nay, take that tone, and I have done," said Rose.--"To Eveline, +whom I love, and who loves me, I can speak freely--but to the Lady +of the Garde Doloureuse, the proud Norman damsel, (which when you +choose to be you can be,) I can curtsy as low as my station +demands, and speak as little truth as she cares to hear." + +"Thou art a wild but a kind girl," said Eveline; "no one who did +not know thee would think that soft and childish exterior covered +such a soul of fire. Thy mother must indeed have been the being of +feeling and passion you paint her; for thy father--nay, nay, never +arm in his defence until he be attacked--I only meant to say, that +his solid sense and sound judgment are his most distinguished +qualities." + +"And I would you would avail yourself of them, lady," said Rose. + +"In fitting things I will; but he were rather an unmeet counsellor +in that which we now treat of," said Eveline. + +"You mistake him," answered Rose Flammock, "and underrate his +value. Sound judgment is like to the graduated measuring-wand, +which, though usually applied only to coarser cloths, will give +with equal truth the dimensions of Indian silk, or of cloth of +gold." + +"Well--well--this affair presses not instantly at least," said the +young lady. "Leave me now, Rose, and send Gillian the tirewoman +hither--I have directions to give about the packing and removal of +my wardrobe." + +"That Gillian the tirewoman hath been a mighty favourite of late," +said Rose; "time was when it was otherwise." + +"I like her manners as little as thou dost," said Eveline; "but +she is old Raoul's wife--she was a sort of half favourite with my +dear father--who, like other men, was perhaps taken by that very +freedom which we think unseemly in persons of our sex; and then +there is no other woman in the Castle that hath such skill in +empacketing clothes without the risk of their being injured." + +"That last reason alone," said Rose, smiling, "is, I admit, an +irresistible pretension to favour, and Dame Gillian shall +presently attend you.--But take my advice, lady--keep her to her +bales and her mails, and let her not prate to you on what concerns +her not." + +So saying, Rose left the apartment, and her young lady looked +after her in silence--then murmured to herself--"Rose loves me +truly; but she would willingly be more of the mistress than the +maiden; and then she is somewhat jealous of every other person +that approaches me.--It is strange, that I have not seen Damian de +Lacy since my interview with the Constable. He anticipates, I +suppose, the chance of his finding in me a severe aunt!" + +But the domestics, who crowded for orders with reference to her +removal early on the morrow, began now to divert the current of +their lady's thoughts from the consideration of her own particular +situation, which, as the prospect presented nothing pleasant, with +the elastic spirit of youth, she willingly postponed till farther +leisure. + + + + +CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH + + + Too much rest is rust, + There's ever cheer in changing; + We tyne by too much trust, + So we'll be up and ranging. + OLD SONG. + + +Early on the subsequent morning, a gallant company, saddened +indeed by the deep mourning which their principals wore, left the +well-defended Castle of the Garde Doloureuse, which had been so +lately the scene of such remarkable events. + +The sun was just beginning to exhale the heavy dews which had +fallen during the night, and to disperse the thin gray mist which +eddied around towers and battlements, when Wilkin Flammock, with +six crossbowmen on horseback, and as many spearmen on foot, +sallied forth from under the Gothic gate-way, and crossed the +sounding drawbridge. After this advanced guard, came four +household servants well mounted, and after them, as many inferior +female attendants, all in mourning. Then rode forth the young Lady +Eveline herself, occupying the centre of the little procession, +and her long black robes formed a striking contrast to the colour +of her milk-white palfrey. Beside her, on a Spanish jennet, the +gift of her affectionate father,--who had procured it at a high +rate, and who would have given half his substance to gratify his +daughter,--sat the girlish form of Rose Flammock, who had so much +of juvenile shyness in her manner, so much of feeling and of +judgment in her thoughts and actions. Dame Margery followed, mixed +in the party escorted by Father Aldrovand, whose company she +chiefly frequented; for Margery affected a little the character of +the devotee, and her influence in the family, as having been +Eveline's nurse, was so great as to render her no improper +companion for the chaplain, when her lady did not require her +attendance on her own person. Then came old Raoul the huntsman, +his wife, and two or three other officers of Raymond Berenger's +household; the steward, with his golden chain, velvet cassock, and +white wand, bringing up the rear, which was closed by a small band +of archers, and four men-at-arms. The guards, and indeed the +greater part of the attendants, were only designed to give the +necessary degree of honour to the young lady's movements, by +accompanying her a short space from the castle, where they were +met by the Constable of Chester, who, with a retinue of thirty +lances, proposed himself to escort Eveline as far as Gloucester, +the place of her destination. Under his protection no danger was +to be apprehended, even if the severe defeat so lately sustained +by the Welsh had not of itself been likely to prevent any attempt, +on the part of those hostile mountaineers, to disturb the safety +of the marches for some time to come. In pursuance of this +arrangement, which permitted the armed part of Eveline's retinue +to return for the protection of the castle, and the restoration of +order in the district around, the Constable awaited her at the +fatal bridge, at the head of the gallant band of selected horsemen +whom he had ordered to attend upon him. The parties halted, as if +to salute each other; but the Constable, observing that Eveline +drew her veil more closely around her, and recollecting the loss +she had so lately sustained on that luckless spot, had the +judgment to confine his greeting to a mute reverence, so low that +the lofty plume which he wore, (for he was now in complete +armour,) mingled with the flowing mane of his gallant horse. +Wilkin Flammock next halted, to ask the lady if she had any +farther commands. + +"None, good Wilkin," said Eveline; "but to be, as ever, true and +watchful." + +"The properties of a good mastiff," said Flammock. "Some rude +sagacity, and a stout hand instead of a sharp case of teeth, are +all that I can claim to be added to them--I will do my best.--Fare +thee well, Roschen! Thou art going among strangers--forget not the +qualities which made thee loved at home. The saints bless thee-- +farewell!" + +The steward next approached to take his leave, but in doing so, +had nearly met with a fatal accident. It had been the pleasure of +Raoul, who was in his own disposition cross-grained, and in person +rheumatic, to accommodate himself with an old Arab horse, which +had been kept for the sake of the breed, as lean, and almost as +lame as himself, and with a temper as vicious as that of a fiend. +Betwixt the rider and the horse was a constant misunderstanding, +testified on Raoul's part by oaths, rough checks with the curb, +and severe digging with the spurs, which Mahound (so paganishly +was the horse named) answered by plunging, bounding, and +endeavouring by all expedients to unseat his rider, as well as +striking and lashing out furiously at whatever else approached +him. It was thought by many of the household, that Raoul preferred +this vicious cross-tempered animal upon all occasions when he +travelled in company with his wife, in order to take advantage by +the chance, that amongst the various kicks, plunges, gambades, +lashings out, and other eccentricities of Mahound, his heels might +come in contact with Dame Gillian's ribs. And now, when as the +important steward spurred up his palfrey to kiss his young lady's +hand, and to take his leave, it seemed to the bystanders as if +Raoul so managed his bridle and spur, that Mahound jerked out his +hoofs at the same moment, one of which coming in contact with the +steward's thigh, would have splintered it like a rotten reed, had +the parties been a couple of inches nearer to each other. As it +was, the steward sustained considerable damage; and they that +observed the grin upon Raoul's vinegar countenance entertained +little doubt, that Mahound's heels then and there avenged certain +nods, and winks, and wreathed smiles, which had passed betwixt the +gold-chained functionary and the coquettish tirewoman, since the +party left the castle. + +This incident abridged the painful solemnity of parting betwixt +the Lady Eveline and her dependents, and lessened, at the same +time, the formality of her meeting with the Constable, and, as it +were, resigning herself to his protection. + +Hugo de Lacy, having commanded six of his men-at-arms to proceed +as an advanced-guard, remained himself to see the steward properly +deposited on a litter, and then, with the rest of his followers, +marched in military fashion about one hundred yards in the rear of +Lady Eveline and her retinue, judiciously forbearing to present +himself to her society while she was engaged in the orisons which +the place where they met naturally suggested, and waiting +patiently until the elasticity of youthful temper should require +some diversion of the gloomy thoughts which the scene inspired. + +Guided by this policy, the Constable did not approach the ladies +until the advance of the morning rendered it politeness to remind +them, that a pleasant spot for breaking their fast occurred in the +neighbourhood, where he had ventured to make some preparations for +rest and refreshment. Immediately after the Lady Eveline had +intimated her acceptance of this courtesy, they came in sight of +the spot he alluded to, marked by an ancient oak, which, spreading +its broad branches far and wide, reminded the traveller of that of +Mamre, under which celestial beings accepted the hospitality of +the patriarch. Across two of these huge projecting arms was flung +a piece of rose-coloured sarsanet, as a canopy to keep off the +morning beams, which were already rising high. Cushions of silk, +interchanged with others covered with the furs of animals of the +chase, were arranged round a repast, which a Norman cook had done +his utmost to distinguish, by the superior delicacy of his art, +from the gross meals of the Saxons, and the penurious simplicity +of the Welsh tables. A fountain, which bubbled from under a large +mossy stone at some distance, refreshed the air with its sound, +and the taste with its liquid crystal; while, at the same time, it +formed a cistern for cooling two or three flasks of Gascon wine +and hippocras, which were at that time the necessary +accompaniments of the morning meal. + +When Eveline, with Rose, the Confessor, and at some farther +distance her faithful nurse, was seated at this silvan banquet, +the leaves rustling to a gentle breeze, the water bubbling in the +background, the birds twittering around, while the half-heard +sounds of conversation and laughter at a distance announced that +their guard was in the vicinity, she could not avoid making the +Constable some natural compliment on his happy selection of a +place of repose. + +"You do me more than justice," replied the Baron; "the spot was +selected by my nephew, who hath a fancy like a minstrel. Myself am +but slow in imagining such devices." + +Rose looked full at her mistress, as if she endeavoured to look +into her very inmost soul; but Eveline answered with the utmost +simplicity,--"And wherefore hath not the noble Damian waited to +join us at the entertainment which he hath directed?" + +"He prefers riding onward," said the Baron, "with some light- +horsemen; for, notwithstanding there are now no Welsh knaves +stirring, yet the marches are never free from robbers and outlaws; +and though there is nothing to fear for a band like ours, yet you +should not be alarmed even by the approach of danger." + +"I have indeed seen but too much of it lately," said Eveline; and +relapsed into the melancholy mood from which the novelty of the +scene had for a moment awakened her. + +Meanwhile, the Constable, removing, with the assistance of his +squire, his mailed hood and its steel crest, as well as his +gauntlets, remained in his flexible coat of mail, composed +entirely of rings of steel curiously interwoven, his hands bare, +and his brows covered with a velvet bonnet of a peculiar fashion, +appropriated to the use of knights, and called a _mortier_, +which permitted him both to converse and to eat more easily than +when he wore the full defensive armour. His discourse was plain, +sensible, and manly; and, turning upon the state of the country, +and the precautions to be observed for governing and defending so +disorderly a frontier, it became gradually interesting to Eveline, +one of whose warmest wishes was to be the protectress of her +father's vassals. De Lacy, on his part, seemed much pleased; for, +young as Eveline was, her questions showed intelligence, and her +mode of answering, both apprehension and docility. In short, +familiarity was so far established betwixt them, that in the nest +stage of their journey, the Constable seemed to think his +appropriate place was at the Lady Eveline's bridle-rein; and +although she certainly did not countenance his attendance, yet +neither did she seem willing to discourage it. Himself no ardent +lover, although captivated both by the beauty and the amiable +qualities of the fair orphan, De Lacy was satisfied with being +endured as a companion, and made no efforts to improve the +opportunity which this familiarity afforded him, by recurring to +any of the topics of the preceding day. + +A halt was made at noon in a small village, where the same +purveyor had made preparations for their accommodation, and +particularly for that of the Lady Eveline; but, something to her +surprise, he himself remained invisible. The conversation of the +Constable of Chester was, doubtless, in the highest degree +instructive; but at Eveline's years, a maiden might be excused for +wishing some addition to the society in the person of a younger +and less serious attendant; and when she recollected the +regularity with which Damian Lacy had hitherto made his respects +to her, she rather wondered at his continued absence. But her +reflection went no deeper than the passing thought of one who was +not quite so much delighted with her present company, as not to +believe it capable of an agreeable addition. She was lending a +patient ear to the account which the Constable gave her of the +descent and pedigree of a gallant knight of the distinguished +family of Herbert, at whose castle he proposed to repose during +the night, when one of the retinue announced a messenger from the +Lady of Baldringham. + +"My honoured father's aunt," said Eveline, arising to testify that +respect for age and relationship which the manners of the time +required. + +"I knew not," said the Constable, "that my gallant friend had such +a relative." + +"She was my grandmother's sister," answered Eveline, "a noble +Saxon lady; but she disliked the match formed with a Norman house, +and never saw her sister after the period of her marriage." + +She broke off, as the messenger, who had the appearance of the +steward of a person of consequence, entered the presence, and, +bending his knee reverently, delivered a letter, which, being +examined by Father Aldrovand, was found to contain the following +invitation, expressed, not in French, then the general language of +communication amongst the gentry, but in the old Saxon language, +modified as it now was by some intermixture of French. + +"If the grand-daughter of Aelfried of Baldringham hath so much of +the old Saxon strain as to desire to see an ancient relation, who +still dwells in the house of her forefathers, and lives after +their manner, she is thus invited to repose for the night in the +dwelling of Ermengarde of Baldringham." + +"Your pleasure will be, doubtless, to decline the present +hospitality?" said the Constable De Lacy; "the noble Herbert +expects us, and has made great preparation." + +"Your presence, my lord," said Eveline, "will more than console +him for my absence. It is fitting and proper that I should meet my +aunt's advances to reconciliation, since she has condescended to +make them." + +De Lacy's brow was slightly clouded, for seldom had he met with +anything approaching to contradiction of his pleasure. "I pray you +to reflect, Lady Eveline," he said, "that your aunt's house is +probably defenceless, or at least very imperfectly guarded.--Would +it not be your pleasure that I should continue my dutiful +attendance?" + +"Of that, my lord, mine aunt can, in her own house, be the sole +judge; and methinks, as she has not deemed it necessary to request +the honour of your lordship's company, it were unbecoming in me to +permit you to take the trouble of attendance;--you have already +had but too much on my account." + +"But for the sake of your own safety, madam," said De Lacy, +unwilling to leave his charge. + +"My safety, my lord, cannot be endangered in the house of so near +a relative; whatever precautions she may take on her own behalf, +will doubtless be amply sufficient for mine." + +"I hope it will be found so," said De Lacy; "and I will at least +add to them the security of a patrol around the castle during your +abode in it." He stopped, and then proceeded with some hesitation +to express his hope, that Eveline, now about to visit a kinswoman +whose prejudices against the Norman race were generally known, +would be on her guard against what she might hear upon that +subject. + +Eveline answered with dignity, that the daughter of Raymond +Berenger was unlikely to listen to any opinions which would affect +the dignity of that good knight's nation and descent; and with +this assurance, the Constable, finding it impossible to obtain any +which had more special reference to himself and his suit, was +compelled to remain satisfied. He recollected also that the castle +of Herbert was within two miles of the habitation of the Lady of +Baldringham, and that his separation from Eveline was but for one +night; yet a sense of the difference betwixt their years, and +perhaps of his own deficiency in those lighter qualifications by +which the female heart is supposed to be most frequently won, +rendered even this temporary absence matter of anxious thought and +apprehension; so that, during their afternoon journey, he rode in +silence by Eveline's side, rather meditating what might chance to- +morrow, than endeavouring to avail himself of present opportunity. +In this unsocial manner they travelled on until the point was +reached where they were to separate for the evening. + +This was an elevated spot, from which they could see, on the right +hand, the castle of Amelot Herbert, rising high upon an eminence, +with all its Gothic pinnacles and turrets; and on the left, low- +embowered amongst oaken woods, the rude and lonely dwelling in +which the Lady of Baldringham still maintained the customs of the +Anglo-Saxons, and looked with contempt and hatred on all +innovations that had been introduced since the battle of Hastings. + +Here the Constable De Lacy, having charged a part of his men to +attend the Lady Eveline to the house of her relation, and to keep +watch around it with the utmost vigilance, but at such a distance +as might not give offence or inconvenience to the family, kissed +her hand, and took a reluctant leave. Eveline proceeded onwards by +a path so little trodden, as to show the solitary condition of the +mansion to which it led. Large kine, of an uncommon and valuable +breed, were feeding in the rich pastures around; and now and then +fallow deer, which appeared to have lost the shyness of their +nature, tripped across the glades of the woodland, or stood and +lay in small groups under some great oak. The transient pleasure +which such a scene of rural quiet was calculated to afford, +changed to more serious feelings, when a sudden turn brought her +at once in front of the mansion-house, of which she had seen +nothing since she first beheld it from the point where she parted +with the Constable, and which she had more than one reason for +regarding with some apprehension. + +The house, for it could not be termed a castle, was only two +stories high, low and massively built, with doors and windows +forming the heavy round arch which is usually called Saxon;--the +walls were mantled with various creeping plants, which had crept +along them undisturbed--grass grew up to the very threshold, at +which hung a buffalo's horn, suspended by a brass chain. A massive +door of black oak closed a gate, which much resembled the ancient +entrance to a ruined sepulchre, and not a soul appeared to +acknowledge or greet their arrival. + +"Were I you, my Lady Eveline," said the officious dame Gillian, "I +would turn bridle yet; for this old dungeon seems little likely to +afford food or shelter to Christian folk." + +Eveline imposed silence on her indiscreet attendant, though +herself exchanging a look with Rose which confessed something like +timidity, as she commanded Raoul to blow the horn at the gate. "I +have heard," she said, "that my aunt loves the ancient customs so +well, that she is loath to admit into her halls any thing younger +than the time of Edward the Confessor." + +Raoul, in the meantime, cursing the rude instrument which baffled +his skill in sounding a regular call, and gave voice only to a +tremulous and discordant roar, which seemed to shake the old +walls, thick as they were, repeated his summons three times before +they obtained admittance. On the third sounding, the gate opened, +and a numerous retinue of servants of both sexes appeared in the +dark and narrow hall, at the upper end of which a great fire of +wood was sending its furnace-blast up an antique chimney, whose +front, as extensive as that of a modern kitchen, was carved over +with ornaments of massive stone, and garnished on the top with a +long range of niches, from each of which frowned the image of some +Saxon Saint, whose barbarous name was scarce to be found in the +Romish calendar. + +The same officer who had brought the invitation from his lady to +Eveline, now stepped forward, as she supposed, to assist her from +her palfrey; but it was in reality to lead it by the bridle-rein +into the paved hall itself, and up to a raised platform, or dais, +at the upper end of which she was at length permitted to dismount. +Two matrons of advanced years, and four young women of gentle +birth, educated by the bounty of Ermengarde, attended with +reverence the arrival of her kinswoman. Eveline would have +inquired of them for her grand-aunt, but the matrons with much +respect laid their fingers on their mouths, as if to enjoin her +silence; a gesture which, united to the singularity of her +reception in other respects, still farther excited her curiosity +to see her venerable relative. + +It was soon gratified; for, through a pair of folding doors, which +opened not far from the platform on which she stood, she was +ushered into a large low apartment hung with arras; at the upper +end of which, under a species of canopy, was seated the ancient +Lady of Baldringham. Fourscore years had not quenched the +brightness of her eyes, or bent an inch of her stately height; her +gray hair was still so profuse as to form a tier, combined as it +was with a chaplet of ivy leaves; her long dark-coloured gown fell +in ample folds, and the broidered girdle, which gathered it around +her, was fastened by a buckle of gold, studded with precious +stones, which were worth an Earl's ransom; her features, which had +once been beautiful, or rather majestic, bore still, though faded +and wrinkled, an air of melancholy and stern grandeur, that +assorted well with her garb and deportment. She had a staff of +ebony in her hand; at her feet rested a large aged wolf-dog, who +pricked his ears and bristled up his neck, as the step of a +stranger, a sound so seldom heard in those halls, approached the +chair in which his aged mistress sat motionless. + +"Peace, Thryme," said the venerable dame; "and thou, daughter of +the house of Baldringham, approach, and fear not their ancient +servant." + +The hound sunk down to his couchant posture when she spoke, and, +excepting the red glare of his eyes, might have seemed a +hieroglyphical emblem, lying at the feet of some ancient priestess +of Woden or Freya; so strongly did the appearance of Ermengarde, +with her rod and her chaplet, correspond with the ideas of the +days of Paganism. Yet he who had thus deemed of her would have +done therein much injustice to a venerable Christian matron, who +had given many a hide of land to holy church, in honour of God and +Saint Dunstan. + +Ermengarde's reception of Eveline was of the same antiquated and +formal cast with her mansion and her exterior. She did not at +first arise from her seat when the noble maiden approached her, +nor did she even admit her to the salute which she advanced to +offer; but, laying her hand on Eveline's arm, stopped her as she +advanced, and perused her countenance with an earnest and +unsparing eye of minute observation. + +"Berwine," she said to the most favoured of the two attendants, +"our niece hath the skin and eyes of the Saxon hue; but the hue of +her eye-brows and hair is from the foreigner and alien.--Thou art, +nevertheless,--welcome to my house, maiden," she added, addressing +Eveline, "especially if thou canst bear to hear that thou art not +absolutely a perfect creature, as doubtless these flatterers +around thee have taught thee to believe." + +So saying, she at length arose, and saluted her niece with a kiss +on the forehead. She released her not, however, from her grasp, +but proceeded to give the attention to her garments which she had +hitherto bestowed upon her features. + +"Saint Dunstan keep us from vanity!" she said; "and so this is the +new guise--and modest maidens wear such tunics as these, showing +the shape of their persons as plain as if (Saint Mary defend us!) +they were altogether without garments? And see, Berwine, these +gauds on the neck, and that neck itself uncovered as low as the +shoulder--these be the guises which strangers have brought into +merry England! and this pouch, like a player's placket, hath but +little to do with housewifery, I wot; and that dagger, too, like a +glee-man's wife, that rides a mumming in masculine apparel--dost +thou ever go to the wars, maiden, that thou wearest steel at thy +girdle?" + +Eveline, equally surprised and disobliged by the depreciating +catalogue of her apparel, replied to the last question with some +spirit,--"The mode may have altered, madam; but I only wear such +garments as are now worn by those of my age and condition. For the +poniard, may it please you, it is not many days since I regarded +it as the last resource betwixt me and dishonour." + +"The maiden speaks well and boldly, Berwine," said Dame +Ermengarde; "and, in truth, pass we but over some of these vain +fripperies, is attired in a comely fashion. Thy father, I hear, +fell knight-like in the field of battle." + +"He did so," answered Eveline, her eyes filling with tears at the +recollection of her recent loss. + +"I never saw him," continued Dame Ermengarde; "he carried the old +Norman scorn towards the Saxon stock, whom they wed but for what +they can make by them, as the bramble clings to the elm;--nay, +never seek to vindicate him," she continued, observing that +Eveline was about to speak, "I have known the Norman spirit for +many a year ere thou wert born." + +At this moment the steward appeared in the chamber, and, after a +long genuflection, asked his lady's pleasure concerning the guard +of Norman soldiers who remained without the mansion. + +"Norman soldiers so near the house of Baldringham!" said the old +lady, fiercely; "who brings them hither, and for what purpose?" + +"They came, as I think," said the sewer, "to wait on and guard +this gracious young lady." + +"What, my daughter," said Ermengarde, in a tone of melancholy +reproach, "darest thou not trust thyself unguarded for one night +in the castle of thy forefathers?" + +"God forbid else!" said Eveline. "But these men are not mine, nor +under my authority. They are part of the train of the Constable de +Lacy, who left them to watch around the castle, thinking there +might be danger from robbers." + +"Robbers," said Ermengarde, "have never harmed the house of +Baldringham, since a Norman robber stole from it its best treasure +in the person of thy grandmother--And so, poor bird, thou art +already captive--unhappy flutterer! But it is thy lot, and +wherefore should I wonder or repine? When was there fair maiden, +with a wealthy dower, but she was ere maturity destined to be the +slave of some of those petty kings, who allow us to call nothing +ours that their passions can covet? Well--I cannot aid thee--I am +but a poor and neglected woman, feeble both from sex and age.--And +to which of these De Lacys art thou the destined household +drudge?" + +A question so asked, and by one whose prejudices were of such a +determined character, was not likely to draw from Eveline any +confession of the real circumstances in which she was placed, +since it was but too plain her Saxon relation could have afforded +her neither sound counsel nor useful assistance. She replied +therefore briefly, that as the Lacys, and the Normans in general, +were unwelcome to her kinswoman, she would entreat of the +commander of the patrol to withdraw it from the neighbourhood of +Baldringham. + +"Not so, my niece," said the old lady; "as we cannot escape the +Norman neighbourhood, or get beyond the sound of their curfew, it +signifies not whether they be near our walls or more far off, so +that they enter them, not. And, Berwine, bid Hundwolf drench the +Normans with liquor, and gorge them with food--the food of the +best, and liquor of the strongest. Let them not say the old Saxon +hag is churlish of her hospitality. Broach a piece of wine, for I +warrant their gentle stomachs brook no ale." + +Berwine, her huge bunch of keys jangling at her girdle, withdrew +to give the necessary directions, and presently returned. +Meanwhile Ermengarde proceeded to question her niece more closely. +"Is it that thou wilt not, or canst not, tell me to which of the +De Lacys thou art to be bondswoman?--to the overweening Constable, +who, sheathed in impenetrable armour, and mounted on a swift and +strong horse as invulnerable as himself, takes pride that he rides +down and stabs at his ease, and with perfect safety, the naked +Welshmen?--or is it to his nephew, the beardless Damian?--or must +thy possessions go to mend a breach in the fortunes of that other +cousin, Randal Lacy, the decayed reveller, who, they say, can no +longer ruffle it among the debauched crusaders for want of means?" + +"My honoured aunt," replied Eveline, naturally displeased with +this discourse, "to none of the Lacy's, and I trust to none other, +Saxon or Norman, will your kinswoman become a household drudge. + +"There was, before the death of my honoured father, some treaty +betwixt him and the Constable, on which account I cannot at +present decline his attendance; but what may be the issue of it, +fate must determine." + +"But I can show thee, niece, how the balance of fate inclines," +said Ermengarde, in a low and mysterious voice. "Those united with +us by blood have, in some sort, the privilege of looking forward +beyond the points of present time, and seeing in their very bud +the thorns or flowers which are one day to encircle their head." + +"For my own sake, noble kinswoman," answered Eveline, "I would +decline such foreknowledge, even were it possible to acquire it +without transgressing the rules of the Church. Could I have +foreseen what has befallen me within these last unhappy days, I +had lost the enjoyment of every happy moment before that time." + +"Nevertheless, daughter," said the Lady of Baldringham, "thou, +like others of thy race, must within this house conform to the +rule, of passing one night within the chamber of the Red-Finger.-- +Berwine, see that it be prepared for my niece's reception." + +"I--I--have heard speak of that chamber, gracious aunt," said +Eveline, timidly, "and if it may consist with your good pleasure, +I would not now choose to pass the night there. My health has +suffered by my late perils and fatigues, and with your good-will I +will delay to another time the usage, which I have heard is +peculiar to the daughters of the house of Baldringham." + +"And which, notwithstanding, you would willingly avoid," said the +old Saxon lady, bending her brows angrily. "Has not such +disobedience cost your house enough already?" + +"Indeed, honoured and gracious lady," said Berwine, unable to +forbear interference, though well knowing the obstinacy of her +patroness, "that chamber is in disrepair, and cannot easily on a +sudden be made fit for the Lady Eveline; and the noble damsel +looks so pale, and hath lately suffered so much, that, might I +have the permission to advise, this were better delayed." + +"Thou art a fool, Berwine," said the old lady, sternly; "thinkest +thou I will bring anger and misfortune on my house, by suffering +this girl to leave it without rendering the usual homage to the +Red-Finger? Go to--let the room be made ready--small preparation +may serve, if she cherish not the Norman nicety about bed and +lodging. Do not reply; but do as I command thee.--And you, +Eveline--are you so far degenerated from the brave spirit of your +ancestry, that you dare not pass a few hours in an ancient +apartment?" + +"You are my hostess, gracious madam," said Eveline, "and must +assign my apartment where you judge proper--my courage is such as +innocence and some pride of blood and birth have given me. It has +been, of late, severely tried; but, since such is your pleasure, +and the custom of your house, my heart is yet strong enough to +encounter what you propose to subject me to." + +She paused here in displeasure; for she resented, in some measure, +her aunt's conduct, as unkind and inhospitable. And yet when she +reflected upon the foundation of the legend of the chamber to +which she was consigned, she could not but regard the Lady of +Baldringham as having considerable reason for her conduct, +according to the traditions of the family, and the belief of the +times, in which Eveline herself was devout. + + + + +CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH + + + Sometimes, methinks, I hear the groans of ghosts, + Then hollow sounds and lamentable screams; + Then, like a dying echo from afar, + My mother's voice, that cries, "Wed not, Almeyda-- + Forewanvd, Almeyda, marriage is thy crime." + DON SEBASTIAN. + + +The evening at Baldringham would have seemed of portentous and +unendurable length, had it not been that apprehended danger makes +times pass quickly betwixt us and the dreaded hour, and that if +Eveline felt little interested or amused by the conversation of +her aunt and Berwine, which turned upon the long deduction of +their ancestors from the warlike Horsa, and the feats of Saxon +champions, and the miracles of Saxon monks, she was still better +pleased to listen to these legends, than to anticipate her retreat +to the destined and dreaded apartment where she was to pass the +night. There lacked not, however, such amusement as the house of +Baldringham could afford, to pass away the evening. Blessed by a +grave old Saxon monk, the chaplain of the house, a sumptuous +entertainment, which might have sufficed twenty hungry men, was +served up before Ermengarde and her niece, whose sole assistants, +beside the reverend man, were Berwine and Rose Flammock. Eveline +was the less inclined to do justice to this excess of hospitality, +that the dishes were all of the gross and substantial nature which +the Saxons admired, but which contrasted disadvantageously with +the refined and delicate cookery of the Normans, as did the +moderate cup of light and high-flavoured Gascon wine, tempered +with more than half its quantity of the purest water, with the +mighty ale, the high-spiced pigment and hippocras, and the other +potent liquors, which, one after another, were in vain proffered +for her acceptance by the steward Hundwolf, in honour of the +hospitality of Baldringham. + +Neither were the stated amusements of evening more congenial to +Eveline's taste, than the profusion of her aunt's solid refection. +When the boards and tresses, on which the viands had been served, +were withdrawn from the apartment, the menials, under direction of +the steward, proceeded to light several long waxen torches, one of +which was graduated for the purpose of marking the passing time, +and dividing it into portions. These were announced by means of +brazen balls, suspended by threads from the torch, the spaces +betwixt them being calculated to occupy a certain time in burning; +so that, when the flame reached the thread, and the balls fell, +each in succession, into a brazen basin placed for its reception, +the office of a modern clock was in some degree discharged. By +this light the party was arranged for the evening. + +The ancient Ermengarde's lofty and ample chair was removed, +according to ancient custom, from the middle of the apartment to +the warmest side of a large grate, filled with charcoal, and her +guest was placed on her right, as the seat of honour. Berwine then +arranged in due order the females of the household, and, having +seen that each was engaged with her own proper task, sat herself +down to ply the spindle and distaff. The men, in a more remote +circle, betook themselves to the repairing of their implements of +husbandry, or new furbishing weapons of the chase, under the +direction of the steward Hundwolf. For the amusement of the family +thus assembled, an old glee-man sung to a harp, which had but four +strings, a long and apparently interminable legend, upon some +religious subject, which was rendered almost unintelligible to +Eveline, by the extreme and complicated affectation of the poet, +who, in order to indulge in the alliteration which was accounted +one great ornament of Saxon poetry, had sacrificed sense to sound, +and used words in the most forced and remote sense, provided they +could be compelled into his service. There was also all the +obscurity arising from elision, and from the most extravagant and +hyperbolical epithets. + +Eveline, though well acquainted with the Saxon language, soon left +off listening to the singer, to reflect for a moment on the gay +fabliaux and imaginative _lais_ of the Norman minstrels, and +then to anticipate, with anxious apprehension, what nature of +visitation she might be exposed to in the mysterious chamber in +which she was doomed to pass the night. + +The hour of parting at length approached. At half an hour before +mid-night, a period ascertained by the consumption of the huge +waxen torch, the ball which was secured to it fell clanging into +the brazen basin placed beneath, and announced to all the hour of +rest. The old glee-man paused in his song, instantaneously, and in +the middle of a stanza, and the household were all on foot at the +signal, some retiring to their own apartments, others lighting +torches or bearing lamps to conduct the visitors to their places +of repose. Among these last was a bevy of bower-women, to whom the +duty was assigned of conveying the Lady Eveline to her chamber for +the night. Her aunt took a solemn leave of her, crossed her +forehead, kissed it, and whispered in her ear, "Be courageous, and +be fortunate." + +"May not my bower-maiden, Rose Flammock, or my tire-woman, Dame +Gillian, Raoul's wife, remain in the apartment with me for this +night?" said Eveline. + +"Flammock-Raoul!" repeated Ermengarde, angrily; "is thy household +thus made up? The Flemings are the cold palsy to Britain, the +Normans the burning fever." + +"And the poor Welsh will add," said Rose, whose resentment began +to surpass her awe for the ancient Saxon dame, "that the Anglo- +Saxons were the original disease, and resemble a wasting +pestilence." + +"Thou art too bold, sweetheart," said the Lady Ermengarde, looking +at the Flemish maiden from under her dark brows; "and yet there is +wit in thy words. Saxon, Dane, and Norman, have rolled like +successive billows over the land, each having strength to subdue +what they lacked wisdom to keep. When shall it be otherwise?" + +"When, Saxon, and Briton, and Norman, and Fleming," answered Rose, +boldly, "shall learn to call themselves by one name, and think +themselves alike children of the land they were born in." + +"Ha!" exclaimed the Lady of Baldringham, in the tone of one half +surprised, half-pleased. Then turning to her relation, she said, +"There are words and wit in this maiden; see that she use but do +not abuse them." + +"She is as kind and faithful, as she is prompt and ready-witted." +said Eveline. "I pray you, dearest aunt, let me use her company +for this night." + +"It may not be--it were dangerous to both. Alone you must learn +your destiny, as have all the females of our race, excepting your +grandmother, and what have been the consequences of her neglecting +the rules of our house? Lo! her descendant stands before me an +orphan in the very bloom of youth." + +"I will go, then," said Eveline with a sigh of resignation; "and +it shall never be said I incurred future wo, to shun present +terror." + +"Your attendants," said the Lady Ermengarde, "may occupy the +anteroom, and be almost within your call. Berwine will show you +the apartment--I cannot; for we, thou knowest, who have once +entered it, return not thither again. Farewell, my child, and may +heaven bless thee!" + +With more of human emotion and sympathy than she had yet shown, +the Lady again saluted Eveline, and signed to her to follow +Berwine, who, attended by two damsels bearing torches, waited to +conduct her to the dreaded apartment. + +Their torches glared along the rudely built walls and dark arched +roofs of one or two long winding passages; these by their light +enabled them to descend the steps of a winding stair, whose +inequality and ruggedness showed its antiquity; and finally led +into a tolerably large chamber on the lower story of the edifice, +to which some old hangings, a lively fire on the hearth, the +moonbeams stealing through a latticed window, and the boughs of a +myrtle plant which grew around the casement, gave no uncomfortable +appearance. "This," said Berwine, "is the resting-place of your +attendants," and she pointed to the couches which had been +prepared for Rose and Dame Gillian; "we," she added, "proceed +farther." + +She then took a torch from the attendant maidens, both of whom +seemed to shrink back with fear, which was readily caught by Dame +Gillian, although she was not probably aware of the cause. But +Rose Flammock, unbidden, followed her mistress without hesitation, +as Berwine conducted her through a small wicket at the upper end +of the apartment, clenched with many an iron nail, into a second +but smaller anteroom or wardrobe, at the end of which was a +similar door. This wardrobe had also its casement mantled with +evergreens, and, like the former, it was faintly enlightened by +the moonbeams. + +Berwine paused here, and, pointing to Rose, demanded of Eveline, +"Why does she follow?" + +"To share my mistress's danger, be it what it may," answered Rose, +with her characteristic readiness of speech and resolution. + +"Speak," she said, "my dearest lady," grasping Eveline's hand, +while she addressed her; "you will not drive your Rose from you? +If I am less high-minded than one of your boasted race, I am bold +and quick-witted in all honest service.--You tremble like the +aspen! Do not go into this apartment--do not be gulled by all this +pomp and mystery of terrible preparation; bid defiance to this +antiquated, and, I think, half-pagan superstition." + +"The Lady Eveline must go, minion," replied Berwine, sternly; "and +she must go without any malapert adviser or companion." + +"Must go---_must go_!" repeated Rose. "Is this language to a +free and noble maiden?--Sweet lady, give me once but the least +hint that you wish it, and their '_must go_' shall be put to +the trial. I will call from the casement on the Norman cavaliers, +and tell them we have fallen, into a den of witches, instead of a +house of hospitality." + +"Silence, madwoman," said Berwine, her voice quivering with anger +and fear; "you know not who dwells in the next chamber." + +"I will call those who will soon see to that," said Rose, flying +to the casement, when Eveline, seizing her arm in her turn, +compelled her to stop. + +"I thank thy kindness, Rose," she said, "but it cannot help me in +this matter. She who enters yonder door, must do so alone." + +"Then I will enter it in your stead, my dearest lady," said Rose. +"You are pale--you are cold--you will die with terror if you go +on. There may be as much of trick as of supernatural agency in +this matter--me they shall not deceive--or if some stern spirit +craves a victim,--better Rose than her lady." + +"Forbear, forbear," said Eveline, rousing up her own spirits; "you +make me ashamed of myself. This is an ancient ordeal, which +regards the females descended from the house of Baldringham as far +as in the third degree, and them only. I did not indeed expect, in +my present circumstances, to have been called upon to undergo it; +but, since the hour summons me, I will meet it as freely as any of +my ancestors." + +So saying, she took the torch from the hand of Berwine, and +wishing good-night to her and Rose, gently disengaged herself from +the hold of the latter, and advanced into the mysterious chamber. +Rose pressed after her so far as to see that it was an apartment +of moderate dimensions, resembling that through which they had +last passed, and lighted by the moonbeams, which came through a +window lying on the same range with those of the anterooms. More +she could not see, for Eveline turned on the threshold, and +kissing her at the same time, thrust her gently back into the +smaller apartment which she had just left, shut the door of +communication, and barred and bolted it, as if in security against +her well-meant intrusion. + +Berwine now exhorted Rose, as she valued her life, to retire into +the first anteroom, where the beds were prepared, and betake +herself, if not to rest, at least to silence and devotion; but the +faithful Flemish girl stoutly refused her entreaties, and resisted +her commands. + +"Talk not to me of danger," she said; "here I remain, that I may +be at least within hearing of my mistress's danger, and wo betide +those who shall offer her injury!--Take notice, that twenty Norman +spears surround this inhospitable dwelling, prompt to avenge +whatsoever injury shall be offered to the daughter of Raymond +Berenger." + +"Reserve your threats for those who are mortal," said Berwine, in +a low, but piercing whisper; "the owner of yonder chamber fears +them not. Farewell--thy danger be on thine own head!" + +She departed, leaving Rose strangely agitated by what had passed, +and somewhat appalled at her last words. "These Saxons," said the +maiden, within herself, "are but half converted after all, and +hold many of their old hellish rites in the worship of elementary +spirits. Their very saints are unlike to the saints of any +Christian country, and have, as it were, a look of something +savage and fiendish--their very names sound pagan and diabolical. +It is fearful being alone here--and all is silent as death in the +apartment into which my lady has been thus strangely compelled. +Shall I call up Gillian?--but no--she has neither sense, nor +courage, nor principle, to aid me on such an occasion--better +alone than have a false friend for company. I will see if the +Normans are on their post, since it is to them I must trust, if a +moment of need should arrive." + +Thus reflecting, Rose Flammock went to the window of the little +apartment, in order to satisfy herself of the vigilance of the +sentinels, and to ascertain the exact situation of the corps de +garde. The moon was at the full, and enabled her to see with +accuracy the nature of the ground without. In the first place, she +was rather disappointed to find, that instead of being so near the +earth as she supposed, the range of windows which gave light as +well to the two anterooms as to the mysterious chamber itself, +looked down upon an ancient moat, by which they were divided from +the level ground on the farther side. The defence which this fosse +afforded seemed to have been long neglected, and the bottom, +entirely dry, was choked in many places with bushes and low trees, +which rose up against the wall of the castle, and by means of +which it seemed to Rose the windows might be easily scaled, and +the mansion entered. From the level plain beyond, the space +adjoining to the castle was in a considerable degree clear, and +the moonbeams slumbered on its close and beautiful turf, mixed +with long shadows of the towers and trees. Beyond this esplanade +lay the forest ground, with a few gigantic oaks scattered +individually along the skirt of its dark and ample domain, like +champions, who take their ground of defiance in front of a line of +arrayed battle. + +The calm beauty and repose of a scene so lovely, the stillness of +all around, and the more matured reflections which the whole +suggested, quieted, in some measure, the apprehensions which the +events of the evening had inspired. "After all," she reflected, +"why should I be so anxious on account of the Lady Eveline? There +is among the proud Normans and the dogged Saxons scarce a single +family of note, but must needs be held distinguished from others +by some superstitious observance peculiar to their race, as if +they thought it scorn to go to Heaven like a poor simple Fleming, +such as I am.--Could I but see the Norman sentinel, I would hold +myself satisfied with my mistress's security.--And yonder one +stalks along the gloom, wrapt in his long white mantle, and the +moon tipping the point of his lance with silver.--What ho, Sir +Cavalier!" + +The Norman turned his steps, and approached the ditch as she +spoke. "What is your pleasure, damsel?" he demanded. + +"The window next to mine is that of the Lady Eveline Berenger, +whom you are appointed to guard. Please to give heedful watch upon +this side of the castle." + +"Doubt it not, lady," answered the cavalier; and enveloping +himself in his long _chappe_, or military watch-cloak, he +withdrew to a large oak tree at some distance, and stood there +with folded arms, and leaning on his lance, more like a trophy of +armour than a living warrior. + +Imboldened by the consciousness, that in case of need succour was +close at hand, Rose drew back into her little chamber, and having +ascertained, by listening, that there was no noise or stirring in +that of Eveline, she began to make some preparations for her own +repose. For this purpose she went into the outward ante-room, +where Dame Gillian, whose fears had given way to the soporiferous +effects of a copious draught of _lithe-alos_, (mild ale, of +the first strength and quality,) slept as sound a sleep as that +generous Saxon beverage could procure. + +Muttering an indignant censure on her sloth and indifference, Rose +caught, from the empty couch which had been destined for her own +use, the upper covering, and dragging it with her into the inner +ante-room, disposed it so as, with the assistance of the rushes +which strewed that apartment, to form a sort of couch, upon which, +half seated, half reclined, she resolved to pass the night in as +close attendance upon her mistress as circumstances permitted. +Thus seated, her eye on the pale planet which sailed in full glory +through the blue sky of midnight, she proposed to herself that +sleep should not visit her eyelids till the dawn of morning should +assure her of Eveline's safety. + +Her thoughts, meanwhile, rested on the boundless and shadowy world +beyond the grave, and on the great and perhaps yet undecided +question, whether the separation of its inhabitants from those of +this temporal sphere is absolute and decided, or whether, +influenced by motives which we cannot appreciate, they continue to +hold shadowy communication with those yet existing in earthly +reality of flesh and blood? To have denied this, would, in the age +of crusades and of miracles, have incurred the guilt of heresy; +but Rose's firm good sense led her to doubt at least the frequency +of supernatural interference, and she comforted herself with an +opinion, contradicted, however, by her own involuntary starts and +shudderings at every leaf which moved, that, in submitting to the +performance of the rite imposed on her, Eveline incurred no real +danger, and only sacrificed to an obsolete family superstition. + +As this conviction strengthened on Rose's mind, her purpose of +vigilance began to decline--her thoughts wandered to objects +towards which they were not directed, like sheep which stray +beyond the charge of their shepherd--her eyes no longer brought +back to her a distinct apprehension of the broad, round, silvery +orb on which they continued to gaze. At length they closed, and +seated on the folded mantle, her back resting against the wall of +the apartment, and her white arms folded on her bosom, Rose +Flammock fell fast asleep. + +Her repose was fearfully broken by a shrill and piercing shriek +from the apartment where her lady reposed. To start up and fly to +the door was the work of a moment with the generous girl, who +never permitted fear to struggle with love or duty. The door was +secured with both bar and bolt; and another fainter scream, or +rather groan, seemed to say, aid must be instant, or in vain. Rose +next rushed to the window, and screamed rather than called to the +Norman soldier, who, distinguished by the white folds of his +watch-cloak, still retained his position under the old oak-tree. + +At the cry of "Help, help!--the Lady Eveline is murdered!" the +seeming statue, starting at once into active exertion, sped with +the swiftness of a race-horse to the brink of the moat, and was +about to cross it, opposite to the spot where Rose stood at the +open casement, urging him to speed by voice and gesture. + +"Not here--not here!" she exclaimed, with breathless precipitation, +as she saw him make towards her--"the window to the right--scale +it, for God's sake, and undo the door of communication." + +The soldier seemed to comprehend her--he dashed into the moat +without hesitation, securing himself by catching at the boughs of +trees as he descended. In one moment he vanished among the +underwood; and in another, availing himself of the branches of a +dwarf oak, Rose saw him upon her right, and close to the window of +the fatal apartment. One fear remained--the casement might be +secured against entrance from without--but no! at the thrust of +the Norman it yielded, and its clasps or fastenings being worn +with time, fell inward with a crash which even Dame Gillian's +slumbers were unable to resist. + +Echoing scream upon scream, in the usual fashion of fools and +cowards, she entered the cabinet from the ante-room, just as the +door of Eveline's chamber opened, and the soldier appeared, +bearing in his arms the half-undressed and lifeless form of the +Norman maiden herself. Without speaking a word, he placed her in +Rose's arms, and with the same precipitation with which he had +entered, threw himself out of the opened window from which Rose +had summoned him. + +Gillian, half distracted with fear and wonder, heaped exclamations +on questions, and mingled questions with cries for help, till Rose +sternly rebuked her in a tone which seemed to recall her scattered +senses. She became then composed enough to fetch a lamp which +remained lighted in the room she had left, and to render herself +at least partly useful in suggesting and applying the usual modes +for recalling the suspended sense. In this they at length +succeeded, for Eveline fetched a fuller sigh, and opened her eyes; +but presently shut them again, and letting her head drop on Rose's +bosom, fell into a strong shuddering fit; while her faithful +damsel, chafing her hands and her temples alternately with +affectionate assiduity, and mingling caresses with these efforts, +exclaimed aloud, "She lives!--She is recovering!--Praised be God!" + +"Praised be God!" was echoed in a solemn tone from the window of +the apartment; and turning towards it in terror, Rose beheld the +armed and plumed head of the soldier who had come so opportunely +to their assistance, and who, supported by his arms, had raised +himself so high as to be able to look into the interior of the +cabinet. + +Rose immediately ran towards him. "Go--go--good friend," she said; +"the lady recovers--your reward shall await you another time. Go-- +begone!--yet stay--keep on your post, and I will call you if there +is farther need. Begone--be faithful, and be secret." + +The soldier obeyed without answering a word, and she presently saw +him descend into the moat. Rose then returned back to her +mistress, whom she found supported by Gillian, moaning feebly, and +muttering hurried and unintelligible ejaculations, all intimating +that she had laboured under a violent shock sustained from some +alarming cause. + +Dame Gillian had no sooner recovered some degree of self- +possession, than her curiosity became active in proportion. "What +means all this?" she said to Rose; "what has been doing among +you?" + +"I do not know," replied Rose. + +"If you do not," said Gillian, "who should?--Shall I call the +other women, and raise the house?" + +"Not for your life," said Rose, "till my lady is able to give her +own orders; and for this apartment, so help me Heaven, as I will +do my best to discover the secrets it contains!--Support my +mistress the whilst." + +So saying, she took the lamp in her hand, and, crossing her brow, +stepped boldly across the mysterious threshold, and, holding up +the light, surveyed the apartment. + +It was merely an old vaulted chamber, of very moderate dimensions. +In one corner was an image of the Virgin, rudely cut, and placed +above a Saxon font of curious workmanship. There were two seats +and a couch, covered with coarse tapestry, on which it seemed that +Eveline had been reposing. The fragments of the shattered casement +lay on the floor; but that opening had been only made when the +soldier forced it in, and she saw no other access by which a +stranger could have entered an apartment, the ordinary access to +which was barred and bolted. + +Rose felt the influence of those terrors which she had hitherto +surmounted; she cast her mantle hastily around her head, as if to +shroud her sight from some blighting vision, and tripping back to +the cabinet, with more speed and a less firm step than when she +left it, she directed Gillian to lend her assistance in conveying +Eveline to the next room; and having done so, carefully secured +the door of communication, as if to put a barrier betwixt them, +and the suspected danger. + +The Lady Eveline was now so far recovered that she could sit up, +and was trying to speak, though but faintly. "Rose," she said at +length, "I have seen her--my doom is sealed." + +Rose immediately recollected the imprudence of suffering Gillian +to hear what her mistress might say at such an awful moment, and +hastily adopting the proposal she had before declined, desired her +to go and call other two maidens of their mistress's household. + +"And where am I to find them in this house," said Dame Gillian, +"where strange men run about one chamber at midnight, and devils, +for aught I know, frequent the rest of the habitation?" + +"Find them where you can," said Rose, sharply; "but begone +presently." + +Gillian withdrew lingeringly, and muttering at the same time +something which could not distinctly be understood. No sooner was +she gone, than Rose, giving way to the enthusiastic affection +which she felt for her mistress, implored her, in the most tender +terms, to open her eyes, (for she had again closed them,) and +speak to Rose, her own Rose, who was ready, if necessary, to die +by her mistress's side. + +"To-morrow--to-morrow, Rose," murmured Eveline--"I cannot speak at +present." + +"Only disburden your mind with one word--tell what has thus +alarmed you--what danger you apprehend." + +"I have seen her," answered Eveline--"I have seen the tenant of +yonder chamber--the vision fatal to my race!--Urge me no more--to- +morrow you shall know all." [Footnote: The idea of the Bahr-Geist +was taken from a passage in the Memoirs of Lady Fanshaw, which +have since been given to the public, and received with deserved +approbation. + +The original runs as follows. Lady Fanshaw, shifting among her +friends in Ireland, like other sound loyalists of the period, +tells her story thus:-- + +"From thence we went to the Lady Honor O'Brien's, a lady that went +for a maid, but few believed it. She was the youngest daughter of +the Earl of Thomond. There we staid three nights--the first of +which I was surprised at being laid in a chamber, where, when +about one o'clock, I heard a voice that awakened me. I drew the +curtain, and in the casement of the window I saw, by the light of +the moon, a woman leaning through the casement into the room, in +white, with red hair and pale and ghastly complexion. She spoke +loud, and in a tone I had never heard, thrice. "A horse;" and +then, with a sigh more like the wind than breath, she vanished, +and to me her body looked more like a thick cloud than substance. +I was so much frightened, that my hair stood on end, and my night- +clothes fell off. I pulled and pinched your father, who never +awoke during the disorder I was in, but at last was much surprised +to see me in this fright, and more so when I related the story and +showed him the window opened. Neither of us slept any more that +night; but he entertained me by telling me how much more these +apparitions were common in this country than in England; and we +concluded the cause to be the great superstition of the Irish, and +the want of that knowing faith which should defend them from the +power of the devil, which he exercises among them very much. About +five o'clock the lady of the house came to see us, saying, she had +not been in bed all night, because a cousin O'Brien of hers, whose +ancestors had owned that house, had desired her to stay with him +in his chamber, and that he died at two o'clock; and she said, I +wish you to have had no disturbance, for 'tis the custom of the +place, that when any of the family are dying, the shape of a woman +appears every night in the window until they be dead. This woman +was many ages ago got with child by the owner of this place, who +murdered her in his garden, and flung her into the river under the +window; but truly I thought not of it when I lodged you here, it +being the best room in the house! We made little reply to her +speech, but disposed ourselves to be gone suddenly."] + +As Gillian entered with two of the maidens of her mistress's +household, they removed the Lady Eveline, by Rose's directions, +into a chamber at some distance which the latter had occupied, and +placed her in one of their beds, where Rose, dismissing the others +(Gillian excepted) to seek repose where they could find it, +continued to watch her mistress. For some time she continued very +much disturbed, but, gradually, fatigue, and the influence of some +narcotic which Gillian had sense enough to recommend and prepare, +seemed to compose her spirits. She fell into a deep slumber, from +which she did not awaken until the sun was high over the distant +hills. + + + + +CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH. + + + I see a hand you cannot see, + Which beckons me away; + I hear a voice you cannot hear, + Which says I must not stay. + MALLET. + + +When Eveline first opened her eyes, it seemed to be without any +recollection of what had passed on the night preceding. She looked +round the apartment, which was coarsely and scantily furnished, as +one destined for the use of domestics and menials, and said to +Rose, with a smile, "Our good kinswoman maintains the ancient +Saxon hospitality at a homely rate, so far as lodging is +concerned. I could have willingly parted with last night's profuse +supper, to have obtained a bed of a softer texture. Methinks my +limbs feel as if I had been under all the flails of a Franklin's +barn-yard." + +"I am glad to see you so pleasant, madam," answered Rose, +discreetly avoiding any reference to the events of the night +before. + +Dame Gillian was not so scrupulous. "Your ladyship last night lay +down on a better bed than this," she said, "unless I am much +mistaken; and Rose Flammock and yourself know best why you left +it." + +If a look could have killed, Dame Gillian would have been in +deadly peril from that which Rose shot at her, by way of rebuke +for this ill-advised communication. It had instantly the effect +which was to be apprehended, for Lady Eveline seemed at first +surprised and confused; then, as recollections of the past +arranged themselves in her memory, she folded her hands, looked on +the ground, and wept bitterly, with much agitation. + +Rose entreated her to be comforted, and offered to fetch the old +Saxon chaplain of the house to administer spiritual consolation, +if her grief rejected temporal comfort. + +"No--call him not," said Eveline, raising her head and drying her +eyes--"I have had enough of Saxon kindness. What a fool was I to +expect, in that hard and unfeeling woman, any commiseration for my +youth--my late sufferings--my orphan condition! I will not permit +her a poor triumph over the Norman blood of Berenger, by letting +her see how much I have suffered under her inhuman infliction. But +first, Rose, answer me truly, was any inmate of Baldringham +witness to my distress last night?" + +Rose assured her that she had been tended exclusively by her own +retinue, herself and Gillian, Blanche and Ternotte. She seemed to +receive satisfaction from this assurance. "Hear me, both of you," +she said, "and observe my words, as you love and as you fear me. +Let no syllable be breathed from your lips of what has happened +this night. Carry the same charge to my maidens. Lend me thine +instant aid, Gillian, and thine, my dearest Rose, to change these +disordered garments, and arrange this dishevelled hair. It was a +poor vengeance she sought, and all because of my country. I am +resolved she shall not see the slightest trace of the sufferings +she has inflicted." + +As she spoke thus, her eyes flashed with indignation, which seemed +to dry up the tears that had before filled them. Rose saw the +change of her manner with a mixture of pleasure and concern, being +aware that her mistress's predominant failing was incident to her, +as a spoiled child, who, accustomed to be treated with kindness, +deference, and indulgence, by all around her, was apt to resent +warmly whatever resembled neglect or contradiction. + +"God knows," said the faithful bower-maiden, "I would hold my hand +out to catch drops of molten lead, rather than endure your tears; +and yet, my sweet mistress, I would rather at present see you +grieved than angry. This ancient lady hath, it would seem, but +acted according to some old superstitious rite of her family, +which is in part yours. Her name is respectable, both from her +conduct and possessions; and hard pressed as you are by the +Normans, with whom your kinswoman, the Prioress, is sure to take +part. I was in hope you might have had some shelter and +countenance from the Lady of Baldringham." + +"Never, Rose, never," answered Eveline; "you know not--you cannot +fuess what she has made me suffer--exposing me to witchcraft and +fiends. Thyself said it, and said it truly--the Saxons are still +half Pagans, void of Christianity, as of nurture and kindliness." + +"Ay, but," replied Rose, "I spoke then to dissuade you from a +danger now that the danger is passed and over, I may judge of it +otherwise." + +"Speak not for them, Rose," replied Eveline, angrily; "no innocent +victim was ever offered up at the altar of a fiend with more +indifference than my father's kinswoman delivered up me--me, an +orphan, bereaved of my natural and powerful support. I hate her +cruelty--I hate her house--I hate the thought of all that has +happened here--of all, Rose, except thy matchless faith and +fearless attachment. Go, bid our train saddle directly--I will be +gone instantly--I will not attire myself" she added, rejecting the +assistance she had at first required--"I will have no ceremony-- +tarry for no leave-taking." + +In the hurried and agitated manner of her mistress, Rose +recognized with anxiety another mood of the same irritable and +excited temperament, which had before discharged itself in tears +and fits. But perceiving, at the same time, that remonstrance was +in vain, she gave the necessary orders for collecting their +company, saddling, and preparing for departure; hoping, that as +her mistress removed to a farther distance from the scene where +her mind had received so severe a shock, her equanimity might, by +degrees, be restored. + +Dame Gillian, accordingly, was busied with arranging the packages +of her lady, and all the rest of Lady Eveline's retinue in +preparing for instant departure, when, preceded by her steward, +who acted also as a sort of gentleman-usher, leaning upon her +confidential Berwine, and followed by two or three more of the +most distinguished of her household, with looks of displeasure on +her ancient yet lofty brow, the Lady Ermengarde entered the +apartment. + +Eveline, with a trembling and hurried hand, a burning cheek, and +other signs of agitation, was herself busied about the arrangement +of some baggage, when her relation made her appearance. At once, +to Rose's great surprise, she exerted a strong command over +herself, and, repressing every external appearance of disorder, +she advanced to meet her relation, with a calm and haughty +stateliness equal to her own. + +"I come to give you good morning, our niece," said Ermengarde, +haughtily indeed, yet with more deference than she seemed at first +to have intended, so much did the bearing of Eveline impose +respect upon her;--"I find that you have been pleased to shift +that chamber which was assigned you, in conformity with the +ancient custom of this household, and betake yourself to the +apartment of a menial." + +"Are you surprised at that, lady?" demanded Eveline in her turn; +"or are you disappointed that you find me not a corpse, within the +limits of the chamber which your hospitality and affection +allotted to me?" + +"Your sleep, then, has been broken?" said Ermengarde, looking +fixedly at the Lady Eveline, as she spoke. + +"If I complain not, madam, the evil must be deemed of little +consequence. What has happened is over and passed, and it is not +my intention to trouble you with the recital." + +"She of the ruddy finger," replied Ermengarde, triumphantly, +"loves not the blood of the stranger." + +"She had less reason, while she walked the earth, to love that of +the Saxon," said Eveline, "unless her legend speaks false in that +matter; and unless, as I well suspect, your house is haunted, not +by the soul of the dead who suffered within its walls, but by evil +spirits, such as the descendants of Hengist and Horsa are said +still in secret to worship." + +"You are pleasant, maiden," replied the old lady, scornfully, "or, +if your words are meant in earnest, the shaft of your censure has +glanced aside. A house, blessed by the holy Saint Dunstan, and by +the royal and holy Confessor, is no abode for evil spirits." + +"The house of Baldringham," replied Eveline, "is no abode for +those who fear such spirits; and as I will, with all humility, +avow myself of the number, I shall presently leave it to the +custody of Saint Dunstan." + +"Not till you have broken your fast, I trust?" said the Lady of +Baldringham; "you will not, I hope, do my years and our +relationship such foul disgrace?" + +"Pardon me, madam," replied the Lady Eveline; "those who have +experienced your hospitality at night, have little occasion for +breakfast in the morning.--Rose, are not those loitering knaves +assembled in the court-yard, or are they yet on their couches, +making up for the slumber they have lost by midnight +disturbances?" + +Rose announced that her train was in the court, and mounted; when, +with a low reverence, Eveline endeavoured to pass her relation, +and leave the apartment without farther ceremony. Ermengarde at +first confronted her with a grim and furious glance, which seemed +to show a soul fraught with more rage than the thin blood and +rigid features of extreme old age had the power of expressing, and +raised her ebony staff as if about even to proceed to some act of +personal violence. But she changed her purpose, and suddenly made +way for Eveline, who passed without farther parley; and as she +descended the staircase, which conducted from the apartment to the +gateway, she heard the voice of her aunt behind her, like that of +an aged and offended sibyl, denouncing wrath and wo upon her +insolence and presumption. + +"Pride," she exclaimed, "goeth before destruction, and a haughty +spirit before a fall. She who scorneth the house of her +forefathers, a stone from its battlements shall crush her! She who +mocks the gray hairs of a parent, never shall one of her own locks +be silvered with age! She who weds with a man of war and of blood, +her end shall neither be peaceful nor bloodless!" + +Hurrying to escape from these and other ominous denunciations, +Eveline rushed from the house, mounted her palfrey with the +precipitation of a fugitive, and, surrounded by her attendants, +who had caught a part of her alarm, though without conjecturing +the cause, rode hastily into the forest; old Raoul, who was well +acquainted with the country, acting as their guide. + +Agitated more than she was willing to confess to herself, by thus +leaving the habitation of so near a relation, loaded with +maledictions, instead of the blessings which are usually bestowed +on a departing kinswoman, Eveline hastened forward, until the huge +oak-trees with intervening arms had hidden from her view the fatal +mansion. + +The trampling and galloping of horse was soon after heard, +announcing the approach of the patrol left by the Constable for +the protection of the mansion, and who now, collecting from their +different stations, came prepared to attend the Lady Eveline on +her farther road to Gloucester, great part of which lay through +the extensive forest of Deane, then a silvan region of large +extent, though now much denuded of trees for the service of the +iron mines. The Cavaliers came up to join the retinue of Lady +Eveline, with armour glittering in the morning rays, trumpets +sounding, horses prancing, neighing, and thrown, each by his +chivalrous rider, into the attitude best qualified to exhibit the +beauty of the steed and dexterity of the horseman; while their +lances, streaming with long penoncelles, were brandished in every +manner which could display elation of heart and readiness of hand. +The sense of the military character of her countrymen of Normandy +gave to Eveline a feeling at once of security and of triumph, +which operated towards the dispelling of her gloomy thoughts, and +of the feverish disorder which affected her nerves. The rising sun +also--the song of the birds among the bowers--the lowing of the +cattle as they were driven to pasture--the sight of the hind, who, +with her fawn trotting by her side, often crossed some forest +glade within view of the travellers,--all contributed to dispel +the terror of Eveline's nocturnal visions, and soothe to rest the +more angry passions which had agitated her bosom at her departure +from Baldringham. She suffered her palfrey to slacken his pace, +and, with female attention to propriety, began to adjust her +riding robes, and compose her head-dress, disordered in her hasty +departure. Rose saw her cheek assume a paler but more settled hue, +instead of the angry hectic which had coloured it--saw her eye +become more steady as she looked with a sort of triumph upon her +military attendants, and pardoned (what on other occasions she +would probably have made some reply to) her enthusiastic +exclamations in praise of her countrymen. + +"We journey safe," said Eveline, "under the care of the princely +and victorious Normans. Theirs is the noble wrath of the lion, +which destroys or is appeased at once--there is no guile in their +romantic affection, no sullenness mixed with their generous +indignation--they know the duties of the hall as well as those of +battle; and were they to be surpassed in the arts of war, (which +will only be when Plinlimmon is removed from its base,) they would +still remain superior to every other people in generosity and +courtesy." + +"If I do not feel all their merits so strongly as if I shared +their blood." said Rose, "I am at least glad to see them around +us, in woods which are said to abound with dangers of various +kinds. And I confess, my heart is the lighter, that I can now no +longer observe the least vestige of that ancient mansion, in which +we passed so unpleasant a night, and the recollection of which +will always be odious to me." + +Eveline looked sharply at her. "Confess the truth, Rose; thou +wouldst give thy best kirtle to know all of my horrible +adventure." + +"It is but confessing that I am a woman," answered Rose; "and did +I say a man, I dare say the difference of sex would imply but a +small abatement of curiosity." + +"Thou makest no parade of other feelings, which prompt thee to +inquire into my fortunes," said Eveline; "but, sweet Rose, I give +thee not the less credit for them. Believe me, thou shalt know +all--but, I think, not now." + +"At your pleasure," said Rose; "and yet, methinks, the bearing in +your solitary bosom such a fearful secret will only render the +weight more intolerable. On my silence you may rely as on that of +the Holy Image, which hears us confess what it never reveals. +Besides, such things become familiar to the imagination when they +have been spoken of, and that which is familiar gradually becomes +stripped of its terrors." + +"Thou speakest with reason, my prudent Rose; and surely in this +gallant troop, borne like a flower on a bush by my good palfrey +Yseulte--fresh gales blowing round us, flowers opening and birds +singing, and having thee by my bridle-rein, I ought to feel this a +fitting time to communicate what thou hast so good a title to +know. And--yes!--thou shalt know all!--Thou art not, I presume, +ignorant of the qualities of what the Saxons of this land call a +_Bahrgeist_?" + +"Pardon me, lady," answered Rose, "my father discouraged my +listening to such discourses. I might see evil spirits enough, he +said, without my imagination being taught to form, such as were +fantastical. The word Bahr-geist, I have heard used by Gillian and +other Saxons; but to me it only conveys some idea of indefinite +terror, of which I never asked nor received an explanation." + +"Know then," said Eveline, "it is a spectre, usually the image of +a departed person, who, either for wrong sustained in some +particular place during life, or through treasure hidden there, or +from some such other cause, haunts the spot from time to time, +becomes familiar to those who dwell there, takes an interest in +their fate, occasionally for good, in other instances or times for +evil. The Bahr-geist is, therefore, sometimes regarded as the good +genius, sometimes as the avenging fiend, attached to particular +families and classes of men. It is the lot of the family of +Baldringham (of no mean note in other respects) to be subject to +the visits of such a being." + +"May I ask the cause (if it be known) of such visitation?" said +Rose, desirous to avail herself to the uttermost of the +communicative mood of her young lady, which might not perhaps last +very long. + +"I know the legend but imperfectly," replied Eveline, proceeding +with a degree of calmness, the result of strong exertion over her +mental anxiety, "but in general it runs thus:--Baldrick, the Saxon +hero who first possessed yonder dwelling, became enamoured of a +fair Briton, said to have been descended from those Druids of whom +the Welsh speak so much, and deemed not unacquainted with the arts +of sorcery which they practised, when they offered up human +sacrifices amid those circles of unhewn and living rock, of which +thou hast seen so many. After more than two years' wedlock, +Baldrick became weary of his wife to such a point, that he formed +the cruel resolution of putting her to death. Some say he doubted +her fidelity--some that the matter was pressed on him by the +church, as she was suspected of heresy--some that he removed her +to make way for a more wealthy marriage--but all agree in the +result. He sent two of his Cnichts to the house of Baldringham, to +put to death the unfortunate Vanda, and commanded them to bring +him the ring which had circled her finger on the day of wedlock, +in token that his orders were accomplished. The men were ruthless +in their office; they strangled Vanda in yonder apartment, and as +the hand was so swollen that no effort could draw off the ring, +they obtained possession of it by severing the finger. But long +before the return of those cruel perpetrators of her death, the +shadow of Vanda had appeared before her appalled husband, and +holding up to him her bloody hand, made him fearfully sensible how +well his savage commands had been obeyed. After haunting him in +peace and war, in desert, court, and camp, until he died +despairingly on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the Bahr-geist, or +ghost of the murdered Vanda, became so terrible in the House of +Baldringham, that the succour of Saint Dunstan was itself scarcely +sufficient to put bounds to her visitation. Yea, the blessed +saint, when he had succeeded in his exorcism, did, in requital of +Baldrick's crime, impose a strong and enduring penalty upon every +female descendant of the house in the third degree; namely, that +once in their lives, and before their twenty-first year, they +should each spend a solitary night in the chamber of the murdered +Vanda, saying therein certain prayers, as well for her repose, as +for the suffering soul of her murderer. During that awful space, +it is generally believed that the spirit of the murdered person +appears to the female who observes the vigil, and shows some sign +of her future good or bad fortune. If favourable, she appears with +a smiling aspect, and crosses them with her unbloodied hand; but +she announces evil fortune by showing the hand from which the +finger was severed, with a stern countenance, as if resenting upon +the descendant of her husband his inhuman cruelty. Sometimes she +is said to speak. These particulars I learned long since from an +old Saxon dame, the mother of our Margery, who had been an +attendant on my grandmother, and left the House of Baldringham +when she made her escape from it with my father's father." + +"Did your grandmother ever render this homage," said Rose, "which +seems to me--under favour of St. Dunstan--to bring humanity into +too close intercourse with a being of a doubtful nature?" + +"My grandfather thought so, and never permitted my grandmother to +revisit the house of Baldringham after her marriage; hence +disunion betwixt him and his son on the one part, and the members +of that family on the other. They laid sundry misfortunes, and +particularly the loss of male heirs which at that time befell +them, to my parent's not having done the hereditary homage to the +bloody-fingered Bahr-geist." + +"And how could you, my dearest lady," said Rose, "knowing that +they held among them a usage so hideous, think of accepting the +invitation of Lady Ermengarde?" + +"I can hardly answer you the question," answered Eveline. "Partly +I feared my father's recent calamity, to be slain (as I have heard +him say his aunt once prophesied of him) by the enemy he most +despised, might be the result of this rite having been neglected; +and partly I hoped, that if my mind should be appalled at the +danger, when it presented itself closer to my eye, it could not be +urged on me in courtesy and humanity. You saw how soon my cruel- +hearted relative pounced upon the opportunity, and how impossible +it became for me, bearing the name, and, I trust, the spirit of +Berenger, to escape from the net in which I had involved myself." + +"No regard for name or rank should have engaged me," replied Rose, +"to place myself where apprehension alone, even without the +terrors of a real visitation, might have punished my presumption +with insanity. But what, in the name of Heaven, did you see at +this horrible rendezvous?" + +"Ay, there is the question," said Eveline, raising her hand to her +brow--"how I could witness that which I distinctly saw, yet be +able to retain command of thought and intellect!--I had recited +the prescribed devotions for the murderer and his victim, and +sitting down on the couch which was assigned me, had laid aside +such of my clothes as might impede my rest--I had surmounted, in +short, the first shock which I experienced in committing myself to +this mysterious chamber, and I hoped to pass the night in slumber +as sound as my thoughts were innocent. But I was fearfully +disappointed. I cannot judge how long I had slept, when my bosom +was oppressed by an unusual weight, which seemed at once to stifle +my voice, stop the beating of my heart, and prevent me from +drawing my breath; and when I looked up to discover the cause of +this horrible suffocation, the form of the murdered British matron +stood over my couch taller than life, shadowy, and with a +countenance where traits of dignity and beauty were mingled with a +fierce expression of vengeful exultation. She held over me the +hand which bore the bloody marks of her husband's cruelty, and +seemed as if she signed the cross, devoting me to destruction; +while, with an unearthly tone, she uttered these words:-- + + `Widow'd wife, and married maid, + Betrothed, betrayer, and betray'd!' + +The phantom stooped over me as she spoke, and lowered her gory +fingers, as if to touch my face, when, terror giving me the power +of which it at first deprived me, I screamed aloud--the casement +of the apartment was thrown open with a loud noise,--and--But what +signifies my telling all this to thee, Rose, who show so plainly, +by the movement of eye and lip, that you consider me as a silly +and childish dreamer?" + +"Be not angry, my dear lady," said Rose; "I do indeed believe that +the witch we call Mara [Footnote: Ephialtes, or Nightmare] has +been dealing with you; but she, you know, is by leeches considered +as no real phantom, but solely the creation of our own +imagination, disordered by causes which arise from bodily +indisposition." + +"Thou art learned, maiden," said Eveline, rather peevishly; "but +when I assure thee that my better angel came to my assistance in a +human form.--that at his appearance the fiend vanished--and that +he transported me in his arms out of the chamber of terror, I +think thou wilt, as a good Christian, put more faith in that which +I tell you." + +"Indeed, indeed, my sweetest mistress, I cannot," replied Rose. +"It is even that circumstance of the guardian angel which makes me +consider the whole as a dream. A Norman sentinel, whom I myself +called from his post on purpose, did indeed come to your +assistance, and, breaking into your apartment, transported you to +that where I myself received you from his arms in a lifeless +condition." + +"A Norman soldier, ha!" said Eveline, colouring extremely; "and to +whom, maiden, did you dare give commission to break into my +sleeping chamber?" + +"Your eyes flash anger, madam, but is it reasonable they should?-- +Did I not hear your screams of agony, and was I to stand fettered +by ceremony at such a moment?--no more than if the castle had been +on fire." + +"I ask you again, Rose," said her mistress, still with +discomposure, though less angrily than at first, "whom you +directed to break into my apartment?" + +"Indeed, I know not, lady," said Rose; "for beside that he was +muffled in his mantle, little chance was there of my knowing his +features, even had I seen them fully. But I can soon discover the +cavalier; and I will set about it, that I may give him the reward +I promised, and warn him to be silent and discreet in this +matter." + +"Do so," said Eveline; "and if you find him among those soldiers +who attend us, I will indeed lean to thine opinion, and think that +fantasy had the chief share in the evils I have endured the last +night." + +Rose struck her palfrey with the rod, and, accompanied by her +mistress, rode up to Philip Guarine, the Constable's squire, who +for the present commanded their little escort. "Good Guarine," she +said, "I had talk with one of these sentinels last night from my +window, and he did me some service, for which I promised him +recompense--Will you inquire for the man, that I may pay him his +guerdon?" + +"Truly, I will owe him a guerdon, also, pretty maiden," answered +the squire; "for if a lance of them approached near enough the +house to hold speech from the windows, he transgressed the precise +orders of his watch." + +"Tush! you must forgive that for my sake," said Rose. "I warrant, +had I called on yourself, stout Guarine, I should have had +influence to bring you under my chamber window." + +Guarine laughed, and shrugged his shoulders. "True it is," he +said, "when women are in place, discipline is in danger." + +He then went to make the necessary inquiries among his band, and +returned with the assurance, that his soldiers, generally and +severally, denied having approached the mansion of the Lady +Ermengarde on the preceding night. + +"Thou seest, Rose," said Eveline, with a significant look to her +attendant. + +"The poor rogues are afraid of Guarine's severity," said Rose, +"and dare not tell the truth--I shall have some one in private +claiming the reward of me." + +"I would I had the privilege myself, damsel," said Guarine; "but +for these fellows, they are not so timorous as you suppose them, +being even too ready to avouch their roguery when it hath less +excuse--Besides, I promised them impunity.--Have you any thing +farther to order?" + +"Nothing, good Guarine," said Eveline; "only this small donative +to procure wine for thy soldiers, that they may spend the next +night more merrily than the last.--And now he is gone,--Maiden, +thou must, I think, be now well aware, that what thou sawest was +no earthly being?" + +"I must believe mine own ears and eyes, madam," replied Rose. + +"Do--but allow me the same privilege," answered Eveline. "Believe +me that my deliverer (for so I must call him) bore the features of +one who neither was, nor could be, in the neighbourhood of +Baldringham. Tell me but one thing--What dost thou think of this +extraordinary prediction-- + + 'Widow'd wife, and wedded maid, + Betrothed, betrayer, and betray'd' + +Thou wilt say it is an idle invention of my brain--but think it +for a moment the speech of a true diviner, and what wouldst thou +say of it?" + +"That you may be betrayed, my dearest lady, but never can be a +betrayer," answered Rose, with animation. + +Eveline reached her hand out to her friend, and as she pressed +affectionately that which Rose gave in return, she whispered to +her with energy, "I thank thee for the judgment, which my own +heart confirms." + +A cloud of dust now announced the approach of the Constable of +Chester and his retinue, augmented by the attendance of his host +Sir William Herbert, and some of his neighbours and kinsmen, who +came to pay their respects to the orphan of the Garde Doloureuse, +by which appellation Eveline was known upon her passage through +their territory. + +Eveline remarked, that, at their greeting, De Lacy looked with +displeased surprise at the disarrangement of her dress and +equipage, which her hasty departure from Baldringham had +necessarily occasioned; and she was, on her part, struck with an +expression of countenance which seemed to say, "I am not to be +treated as an ordinary person, who may be received with +negligence, and treated slightly with impunity." For the first +time, she thought that, though always deficient in grace and +beauty, the Constable's countenance was formed to express the more +angry passions with force and vivacity, and that she who shared +his rank and name must lay her account with the implicit surrender +of her will and wishes to those of an arbitrary lord and master. + +But the cloud soon passed from the Constable's brow; and in the +conversation which he afterwards maintained with Herbert and the +other knights and gentlemen, who from time to time came to greet +and accompany them for a little way on their journey, Eveline had +occasion to admire his superiority, both of sense and expression, +and to remark the attention and deference with which his words +were listened to by men too high in rank, and too proud, readily +to admit any pre-eminence that was not founded on acknowledged +merit. The regard of women is generally much influenced by the +estimation which an individual maintains in the opinion of men; +and Eveline, when she concluded her journey in the Benedictine +nunnery in Gloucester, could not think without respect upon the +renowned warrior, and celebrated politician, whose acknowledged +abilities appeared to place him above every one whom she had seen +approach him. His wife, Eveline thought, (and she was not without +ambition,) if relinquishing some of those qualities in a husband +which are in youth most captivating to the female imagination, +must be still generally honoured and respected, and have +contentment, if not romantic felicity, within her reach. + + + + +CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH + + +The Lady Eveline remained nearly four months with her aunt, the +Abbess of the Benedictine nunnery, under whose auspices the +Constable of Chester saw his suit advance and prosper as it would +probably have done under that of the deceased Raymond Berenger, +her brother. It is probable, however, that, but for the supposed +vision of the Virgin, and the vow of gratitude which that supposed +vision had called forth, the natural dislike of so young a person +to a match so unequal in years, might have effectually opposed his +success. Indeed Eveline, while honouring the Constable's virtues, +doing justice to his high character, and admiring his talents, +could never altogether divest herself of a secret fear of him, +which, while it prevented her from expressing any direct +disapprobation of his addresses, caused her sometimes to shudder, +she scarce knew why, at the idea of their becoming successful. + +The ominous words, "betraying and betrayed," would then occur to +her memory; and when her aunt (the period of the deepest mourning +being elapsed) had fixed a period for her betrothal, she looked +forward to it with a feeling of terror, for which she was unable +to account to herself, and which, as well as the particulars of +her dream, she concealed even from Father Aldrovand in the hours +of confession. It was not aversion to the Constable--it was far +less preference to any other suitor--it was one of those +instinctive movements and emotions by which Nature seems to warn +us of approaching danger, though furnishing no information +respecting its nature, and suggesting no means of escaping from +it. + +So strong were these intervals of apprehension, that if they had +been seconded by the remonstrances of Rose Flammock, as formerly, +they might perhaps have led to Eveline's yet forming some +resolution unfavourable to the suit of the Constable. But, still +more zealous for her lady's honour than even for her happiness, +Rose had strictly forborne every effort which could affect +Eveline's purpose, when she had once expressed her approbation of +De Lacy's addresses; and whatever she thought or anticipated +concerning the proposed marriage, she seemed from that moment to +consider it as an event which must necessarily take place. + +De Lacy himself, as he learned more intimately to know the merit +of the prize which he was desirous of possessing, looked forward +with different feelings towards the union, than those with which +he had first proposed the measure to Raymond Berenger. It was then +a mere match of interest and convenience, which had occurred to +the mind of a proud and politic feudal lord, as the best mode of +consolidating the power and perpetuating the line of his family. +Nor did even the splendour of Eveline's beauty make that +impression upon De Lacy, which it was calculated to do on the +fiery and impassioned chivalry of the age. He was past that period +of life when the wise are captivated by outward form, and might +have said with truth, as well as with discretion, that he could +have wished his beautiful bride several years older, and possessed +of a more moderate portion of personal charms, in order to have +rendered the match more fitted for his own age and disposition. +This stoicism, however, vanished, when, on repeated interviews +with his destined bride, he found that she was indeed +inexperienced in life, but desirous to be guided by superior +wisdom; and that, although gifted with high spirit, and a +disposition which began to recover its natural elastic gaiety, she +was gentle, docile, and, above all, endowed with a firmness of +principle, which seemed to give assurance that she would tread +uprightly, and without spot, the slippery paths in which youth, +rank, and beauty, are doomed to move. + +As feelings of a warmer and more impassioned kind towards Eveline +began to glow in De Lacy's bosom, his engagements as a crusader +became more and more burdensome to him. The Benedictine Abbess, +the natural guardian of Eveline's happiness, added to these +feelings by her reasoning and remonstrances. Although a nun and a +devotee, she held in reverence the holy state of matrimony, and +comprehended so much of it as to be aware, that its important +purposes could not be accomplished while the whole continent of +Europe was interposed betwixt the married pair; for as to a hint +from the Constable, that his young spouse might accompany him into +the dangerous and dissolute precincts of the Crusader's camp, the +good lady crossed herself with horror at the proposal, and never +permitted it to be a second time mentioned in her presence. + +It was not, however, uncommon for kings, princes, and other +persons of high consequence, who had taken upon them the vow to +rescue Jerusalem, to obtain delays, and even a total remission of +their engagement, by proper application to the Church of Rome. The +Constable was sure to possess the full advantage of his +sovereign's interest and countenance, in seeking permission to +remain in England, for he was the noble to whose valour and policy +Henry had chiefly intrusted the defence of the disorderly Welsh +marches; and it was by no means with his good-will that so useful +a subject had ever assumed the cross. + +It was settled, therefore, in private betwixt the Abbess and the +Constable, that the latter should solicit at Rome, and with the +Pope's Legate in England, a remission of his vow for at least two +years; a favour which it was thought could scarce be refused to +one of his wealth and influence, backed as it was with the most +liberal offers of assistance towards the redemption of the Holy +Land. His offers were indeed munificent; for he proposed, if his +own personal attendance were dispensed with, to send an hundred +lances at his own cost, each lance accompanied by two squires, +three archers, and a varlet or horse-boy; being double the retinue +by which his own person was to have been accompanied. He offered +besides to deposit the sum of two thousand bezants to the general +expenses of the expedition, to surrender to the use of the +Christian armament those equipped vessels which he had provided, +and which even now awaited the embarkation of himself and his +followers. + +Yet, while making these magnificent proffers, the Constable could +not help feeling they would be inadequate to the expectations of +the rigid prelate Baldwin, who, as he had himself preached the +crusade, and brought the Constable and many others into that holy +engagement, must needs see with displeasure the work of his +eloquence endangered, by the retreat of so important an associate +from his favourite enterprise. To soften, therefore, his +disappointment as much as possible, the Constable offered to the +Archbishop, that, in the event of his obtaining license to remain +in Britain, his forces should be led by his nephew, Danxian Lacy, +already renowned for his early feats of chivalry, the present hope +of his house, and, failing heirs of his own body, its future head +and support. + +The Constable took the most prudent method of communicating this +proposal to the Archbishop Baldwin, through a mutual friend, on +whose good offices he could depend, and whose interest with the +Prelate was regarded as great. But notwithstanding the splendour +of the proposal, the Prelate heard it with sullen and obstinate +silence, and referred for answer to a personal conference with the +Constable at an appointed day, when concerns of the church would +call the Archbishop to the city of Gloucester. The report of the +mediator was such as induced the Constable to expect a severe +struggle with the proud and powerful churchman; but, himself proud +and powerful, and backed by the favour of his sovereign, he did +not expect to be foiled in the contest. + +The necessity that this point should be previously adjusted, as +well as the recent loss of Eveline's father, gave an air of +privacy to De Lacy's courtship, and prevented its being signalized +by tournaments and feats of military skill, in which he would have +been otherwise desirous to display his address in the eyes of his +mistress. The rules of the convent prevented his giving +entertainments of dancing, music, or other more pacific revels; +and although the Constable displayed his affection by the most +splendid gifts to his future bride and her attendants, the whole +affair, in the opinion of the experienced Dame Gillian, proceeded +more with the solemnity of a funeral, than the light pace of an +approaching bridal. + +The bride herself felt something of this, and thought occasionally +it might have been lightened by the visits of young Damian, in +whose age, so nearly corresponding to her own, she might have +expected some relief from the formal courtship of his graver +uncle. But he came not; and from what the Constable said +concerning him, she was led to imagine that the relations had, for +a time at least, exchanged occupations and character. The elder De +Lacy continued, indeed, in nominal observance of his vow, to dwell +in a pavilion by the gates of Gloucester; but he seldom donned his +armour, substituted costly damask and silk for his war-worn +shamois doublet, and affected at his advanced time of life more +gaiety of attire than his contemporaries remembered as +distinguishing his early youth. His nephew, on the contrary, +resided almost constantly on the marches of Wales, occupied in +settling by prudence, or subduing by main force, the various +disturbances by which these provinces were continually agitated; +and Eveline learned with surprise, that it was with difficulty his +uncle had prevailed on him to be present at the ceremony of their +being betrothed to each other, or, as the Normans entitled the +ceremony, their _fiancailles_. This engagement, which +preceded the actual marriage for a space more or less, according +to circumstances, was usually celebrated with a solemnity +corresponding to the rank of the contracting parties. + +The Constable added, with expressions of regret, that Damian gave +himself too little rest, considering his early youth, slept too +little, and indulged in too restless a disposition--that his +health was suffering--and that a learned Jewish leech, whose +opinion had been taken, had given his advice that the warmth of a +more genial climate was necessary to restore his constitution to +its general and natural vigour. + +Eveline heard this with much regret, for she remembered Damian as +the angel of good tidings, who first brought her news of +deliverance from the forces of the Welsh; and the occasions on +which they had met, though mournful, brought a sort of pleasure in +recollection, so gentle had been the youth's deportment, and so +consoling his expressions of sympathy. She wished she could see +him, that she might herself judge of the nature of his illness; +for, like other damsels of that age, she was not entirely ignorant +of the art of healing, and had been taught by Father Aldrovand, +himself no mean physician, how to extract healing essences from +plants and herbs gathered under planetary hours. She thought it +possible that her talents in this art, slight as they were, might +perhaps be of service to one already her friend and liberator, and +soon about to become her very near relation. + +It was therefore with a sensation of pleasure mingled with some +confusion, (at the idea, doubtless, of assuming the part of +medical adviser to so young a patient,) that one evening, while +the convent was assembled about some business of their chapter, +she heard Gillian announce that the kinsman of the Lord Constable +desired to speak with her. She snatched up the veil, which she +wore in compliance with the customs of the house, and hastily +descended to the parlour, commanding the attendance of Gillian, +who, nevertheless, did not think proper to obey the signal. + +When she entered the apartment, a man whom she had never seen +before advanced, kneeling on one knee, and taking up the hem of +her veil, saluted it with an air of the most profound respect. She +stepped back, surprised and alarmed, although there was nothing in +the appearance of the stranger to justify her apprehension. He +seemed to be about thirty years of age, tall of stature, and +bearing a noble though wasted form, and a countenance on which +disease, or perhaps youthful indulgence, had anticipated the +traces of age. His demeanour seemed courteous and respectful, even +in a degree which approached to excess. He observed Eveline's +surprise, and said, in a tone of pride, mingled with emotion, "I +fear that I have been mistaken, and that my visit is regarded as +an unwelcome intrusion." + +"Arise, sir," answered Eveline, "and let me know your name and +business I was summoned to a kinsman of the Constable of Chester." + +"And you expected the stripling Damian," answered the stranger. +"But the match with which England rings will connect you with +others of the house besides that young person; and amongst these, +with the luckless Randal de Lacy. Perhaps," continued he, "the +fair Eveline Berenger may not even have heard his name breathed by +his more fortunate kinsman--more fortunate in every respect, but +_most_ fortunate in his present prospects." + +This compliment was accompanied by a deep reverence, and Eveline +stood much embarrassed how to reply to his civilities; for +although she now remembered to have heard this Randal slightly +mentioned by the Constable when speaking of his family, it was in +terms which implied there was no good understanding betwixt them. +She therefore only returned his courtesy by general thanks for the +honour of his visit, trusting he would then retire; but such was +not his purpose. + +"I comprehend," he said, "from the coldness with which the Lady +Eveline Berenger receives me, that what she has heard of me from +my kinsman (if indeed he thought me worthy of being mentioned to +her at all) has been, to say the least, unfavourable. And yet my +name once stood as high in fields and courts, as that of the +Constable; nor is it aught more disgraceful than what is indeed +often esteemed the worst of disgraces--poverty, which prevents my +still aspiring to places of honour and fame. If my youthful +follies have been numerous, I have paid for them by the loss of my +fortune, and the degradation of my condition; and therein, my +happy kinsman might, if he pleased, do me some aid--I mean not +with his purse or estate; for, poor as I am, I would not live on +alms extorted from the reluctant hand of an estranged friend; but +his countenance would put him to no cost, and, in so far, I might +expect some favour." + +"In that my Lord Constable," said Eveline, "must judge for +himself. I have--as yet, at least--no right to interfere in his +family affairs; and if I should ever have such right, it will well +become me to be cautious how I use it." + +"It is prudently answered," replied Randal; "but what I ask of you +is merely, that you, in your gentleness, would please to convey to +my cousin a suit, which I find it hard to bring my ruder tongue to +utter with sufficient submission. The usurers, whose claims have +eaten like a canker into my means, now menace me with a dungeon--a +threat which they dared not mutter, far less attempt to execute, +were it not that they see me an outcast, unprotected by the +natural head of my family, and regard me rather as they would some +unfriended vagrant, than as a descendant of the powerful house of +Lacy." + +"It is a sad necessity," replied Eveline; "but I see not how I can +help you in such extremity." + +"Easily," replied Randal de Lacy. "The day of your betrothal is +fixed, as I hear reported; and it is your right to select what +witnesses you please to the solemnity, which may the saints bless! +To every one but myself, presence or absence upon that occasion is +a matter of mere ceremony--to me it is almost life or death. So an +I situated, that the marked instance of slight or contempt, +implied by my exclusion from this meeting of our family, will be +held for the signal of my final expulsion from the House of the De +Lacy's, and for a thousand bloodhounds to assail me without mercy +or forbearance, whom, cowards as they are, even the slightest show +of countenance from my powerful kinsman would compel to stand at +bay. But why should I occupy your time in talking thus?--Farewell, +madam--be happy--and do not think of me the more harshly, that for +a few minutes I have broken the tenor of your happy thoughts, by +forcing my misfortunes on your notice." + +"Stay, sir," said Eveline, affected by the tone and manner of the +noble suppliant; "you shall not have it to say that you have told +your distress to Eveline Berenger, without receiving such aid as +is in her power to give. I will mention your request to the +Constable of Chester." + +"You must do more, if you really mean to assist me," said Randal +de Lacy, "you must make that request your own. You do not know," +said he, continuing to bend on her a fixed and expressive look, +"how hard it is to change the fixed purpose of a De Lacy--a +twelvemonth hence you will probably be better acquainted with the +firm texture of our resolutions. But, at present, what can +withstand your wish should you deign to express it?" + +"Your suit, sir, shall not be lost for want of my advancing it +with my good word and good wishes," replied Eveline; "but you must +be well aware that its success or failure must rest with the +Constable himself." + +Randal de Lacy took his leave with the same air of deep reverence +which had marked his entrance; only that, as he then saluted the +skirt of Eveline's robe, he now rendered the same homage by +touching her hand with his lip. She saw him depart with a mixture +of emotions, in which compassion was predominant; although in his +complaints of the Constable's unkindness to him there was +something offensive, and his avowal of follies and excess seemed +uttered rather in the spirit of wounded pride, than in that of +contrition. + +When Eveline next saw the Constable, she told him of the visit of +Randal and of his request; and strictly observing his countenance +while she spoke, she saw, that at the first mention of his +kinsman's name, a gleam of anger shot along his features. He soon +subdued it, however, and, fixing his eyes on the ground, listened +to Eveline's detailed account of the visit, and her request "that +Randal might be one of the invited witnesses to their +_fiancailles_." + +The Constable paused for a moment, as if he were considering how +to elude the solicitation. At length he replied, "You do not know +for whom you ask this, or you would perhaps have forborne your +request; neither are you apprized of its full import, though my +crafty cousin well knows, that when I do him this grace which he +asks, I bind myself, as it were, in the eye of the world once +more--and it will be for the third time--to interfere in his +affairs, and place them on such a footing as may afford him the +means of re-establishing his fallen consequence, and repairing his +numerous errors." + +"And wherefore not, my lord?" said the generous Eveline. "If he +has been ruined only through follies, he is now of an age when +these are no longer tempting snares; and if his heart and hand be +good, he may yet be an honour to the House of De Lacy." + +The Constable shook his head. "He hath indeed," he said, "a heart +and hand fit for service, God knoweth, whether in good or evil. +But never shall it be said that you, my fair Eveline, made request +of Hugh de Lacy, which he was not to his uttermost willing to +comply with. Randal shall attend at our _fiancailles_; there +is indeed the more cause for his attendance, as I somewhat fear we +may lack that of our valued nephew Damian, whose malady rather +increases than declines, and, as I hear, with strange symptoms of +unwonted disturbance of mind and starts of temper, to which the +youth had not hitherto been subject." + + + + +CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH. + + + Ring out the merry bell, the bride approaches, + The blush upon her cheek has shamed the morning, + For that is dawning palely. Grant, good saints, + These clouds betoken nought of evil omen! + OLD PLAY. + + +The day of the _fiancailles, or espousals, was now approaching; +and it seems that neither the profession of the Abbess, nor her +practice at least, were so rigid as to prevent her selecting the +great parlour of the convent for that holy rite, although +necessarily introducing many male guests within those vestal +precincts, and notwithstanding that the rite itself was the +preliminary to a state which the inmates of the cloister had +renounced for ever. + +The Abbess's Norman pride of birth, and the real interest which +she took in her niece's advancement, overcame all scruples; and +the venerable mother might be seen in unwonted bustle, now giving +orders to the gardener for decking the apartment with flowers--now +to her cellaress, her precentrix, and the lay-sisters of the +kitchen, for preparing a splendid banquet, mingling her commands +on these worldly subjects with an occasional ejaculation on their +vanity and worthlessness, and every now and then converting the +busy and anxious looks which she threw upon her preparations into +a solemn turning upward of eyes and folding of hands, as one who +sighed over the mere earthly pomp which she took such trouble in +superintending. At another time the good lady might have been seen +in close consultation with Father Aldrovand, upon the ceremonial, +civil and religious, which was to accompany a solemnity of such +consequence to her family. + +Meanwhile the reins of discipline, although relaxed for a season, +were not entirely thrown loose. The outer court of the convent was +indeed for the time opened for the reception of the male sex; but +the younger sisters and novices of the house being carefully +secluded in the more inner apartments of the extensive building, +under the immediate eye of a grim old nun, or, as the conventual +rule designed her, an ancient, sad, and virtuous person, termed +Mistress of the Novices, were not permitted to pollute their eyes +by looking on waving plumes and rustling mantles. A few sisters, +indeed, of the Abbess's own standing, were left at liberty, being +such goods as it was thought could not, in shopman's phrase, take +harm from the air, and which are therefore left lying on the +counter. These antiquated dames went mumping about with much +affected indifference, and a great deal of real curiosity, +endeavouring indirectly to get information concerning names, and +dresses, and decorations, without daring to show such interest in +these vanities as actual questions on the subject might have +implied. + +A stout band of the Constable's spearmen guarded the gate of the +nunnery, admitting within the hallowed precinct the few only who +were to be present at the solemnity, with their principal +attendants, and while the former were ushered with all due +ceremony into the apartments dressed out for the occasion, the +attendants, although detained in the outer court, were liberally +supplied with refreshments of the most substantial kind; and had +the amusement, so dear to the menial classes, of examining and +criticising their masters and mistresses, as they passed into the +interior apartments prepared for their reception. + +Amongst the domestics who were thus employed were old Raoul the +huntsman and his jolly dame--he gay and glorious, in a new cassock +of green velvet, she gracious and comely, in a kirtle of yellow +silk, fringed with minivair, and that at no mean cost, were +equally busied in beholding the gay spectacle. The most inveterate +wars have their occasional terms of truce; the most bitter and +boisterous weather its hours of warmth and of calmness; and so was +it with the matrimonial horizon of this amiable pair, which, +usually cloudy, had now for brief space cleared up. The splendour +of their new apparel, the mirth of the spectacle around them, with +the aid, perhaps, of a bowl of muscadine quaffed by Raoul, and a +cup of hippocras sipped by his wife, had rendered them rather more +agreeable in each other's eyes than was their wont; good cheer +being in such cases, as oil is to a rusty lock, the means of +making those valves move smoothly and glibly, which otherwise work +not together at all, or by shrieks and groans express their +reluctance to move in union. The pair had stuck themselves into a +kind of niche, three or four steps from the ground, which +contained a small stone bench, whence their curious eyes could +scrutinize with advantage every guest who entered the court. + +Thus placed, and in their present state of temporary concord, +Raoul with his frosty visage formed no unapt representative of +January, the bitter father of the year; and though Gillian was +past the delicate bloom of youthful May, yet the melting fire of a +full black eye, and the genial glow of a ripe and crimson cheek, +made her a lively type of the fruitful and jovial August. Dame +Gillian used to make it her boast, that she could please every +body with her gossip, when she chose it, from Raymond Berenger +down to Robin the horse-boy; and like a good housewife, who, to +keep her hand in use, will sometimes even condescend to dress a +dish for her husband's sole eating, she now thought proper to +practise her powers of pleasing on old Raoul, fairly conquering, +in her successful sallies of mirth and satire, not only his +cynical temperament towards all human kind, but his peculiar and +special disposition to be testy with his spouse. Her jokes, such +as they were, and the coquetry with which they were enforced, had +such an effect on this Timon of the woods, that he curled up his +cynical nose, displayed his few straggling teeth like a cur about +to bite, broke out into a barking laugh, which was more like the +cry of one of his own hounds--stopped short in the explosion, as +if he had suddenly recollected that it was out of character; yet, +ere he resumed his acrimonious gravity, shot such a glance at +Gillian as made his nut-cracker jaws, pinched eyes, and convolved +nose, bear no small resemblance to one of those fantastic faces +which decorate the upper end of old bass viols. + +"Is not this better than laying your dog-leash on your loving +wife, as if she were a brach of the kennel?" said August to +January. + +"In troth is it," answered January, in a frost-bitten tone;--"and +so it is also better than doing the brach-tricks which bring the +leash into exercise." + +"Humph!" said Gillian, in the tone of one who thought her +husband's proposition might bear being disputed; but instantly +changing the note to that of tender complaint, "Ah! Raoul," she +said, "do you not remember how you once beat me because our late +lord--Our Lady assoilzie him!--took my crimson breast-knot for a +peony rose?" + +"Ay, ay," said the huntsman; "I remember our old master would make +such mistakes--Our Lady assoilzie him! as you say--The best hound +will hunt counter." + +"And how could you think, dearest Raoul, to let the wife of thy +bosom go so long without a new kirtle?" said his helpmate. + +"Why, thou hast got one from our young lady that might serve a +countess," said Raoul, his concord jarred by her touching this +chord--"how many kirtles wouldst thou have?" + +"Only two, kind Raoul; just that folk may not count their +children's age by the date of Dame Gillian's last new gown." + +"Well, well--it is hard that a man cannot be in good-humour once +and away without being made to pay for it. But thou shalt have a +new kirtle at Michaelmas, when I sell the buck's hides for the +season. The very antlers should bring a good penny this year." + +"Ay, ay," said Gillian; "I ever tell thee, husband, the horns +would be worth the hide in a fair market." + +Raoul turned briskly round as if a wasp had stung him, and there +is no guessing what his reply might have been to this seemingly +innocent observation, had not a gallant horseman at that instant +entered the court, and, dismounting like the others, gave his +horse to the charge of a squire, or equerry, whose attire blazed +with embroidery. + +"By Saint Hubert, a proper horseman, and a _destrier_ for an +earl," said Raoul; "and my Lord Constable's liveries withal--yet I +know not the gallant." + +"But I do," said Gillian; "it is Randal de Lacy, the Constable's +kinsman, and as good a man as ever came of the name!" + +"Oh! by Saint Hubert, I have heard of him--men say he is a +reveller, and a jangler, and a waster of his goods." + +"Men lie now and then," said Gillian dryly. + +"And women also," replied Raoul;--"why, methinks he winked on thee +just now." + +"That right eye of thine saw never true since our good lord-Saint +Mary rest him!--flung a cup of wine in thy face, for pressing over +boldly into his withdrawing-room." + +"I marvel," said Raoul, as if he heard her not, "that yonder +ruffler comes hither. I have heard that he is suspected to have +attempted the Constable's life, and that they have not spoken +together for five years." + +"He comes on my young lady's invitation, and that I know full +well," said Dame Gillian; "and he is less like to do the Constable +wrong than to have wrong at his hand, poor gentleman, as indeed he +has had enough of that already." + +"And who told thee so?" said Raoul, bitterly. + +"No matter, it was one who knew all about it very well," said the +dame, who began to fear that, in displaying her triumph of +superior information, she had been rather over-communicative. + +"It must have been the devil, or Randal himself" said Raoul, "for +no other mouth is large enough for such a lie.--But hark ye, Dame +Gillian, who is he that presses forward next, like a man that +scarce sees how he goes?" + +"Even your angel of grace, my young Squire Damian" said Dame +Gillian. + +"It is impossible!" answered Raoul--"call me blind if thou wilt;-- +but I have never seen man so changed in a few weeks--and his +attire is flung on him so wildly as if he wore a horse-cloth round +him instead of a mantle--What can ail the youth?--he has made a +dead pause at the door, as if he saw something on the threshold +that debarred his entrance--Saint Hubert, but he looks as if he +were elf-stricken!" + +"You ever thought him such a treasure!" said Gillian; "and now +look at him as he stands by the side of a real gentleman, how he +stares and trembles as if he were distraught." + +"I will speak to him," said Raoul, forgetting his lameness, and +springing from his elevated station--"I will speak to him; and if +he be unwell, I have my lancets and fleams to bleed man as well as +brute." + +"And a fit physician for such a patient," muttered Gillian,--"a +dog-leech for a dreamy madman, that neither knows his own disease +nor the way to cure it." + +Meanwhile the old huntsman made his way towards the entrance, +before which Damian remained standing, in apparent uncertainty +whether he should enter or not, regardless of the crowd around, +and at the same time attracting their attention by the singularity +of his deportment. + +Raoul had a private regard for Damiah; for which, perhaps, it was +a chief reason, that of late his wife had been in the habit of +speaking of him in a tone more disrespectful than she usually +applied to handsome young men. Besides, he understood the youth +was a second Sir Tristrem in silvan sports by wood and river, and +there needed no more to fetter Raoul's soul to him with bands of +steel. He saw with great concern his conduct attract general +notice, mixed with some ridicule. + +"He stands," said the town-jester, who had crowded into the gay +throng, "before the gate, like Balaam's ass in the Mystery, when +the animal sees so much more than can be seen by any one else." + +A cut from Raoul's ready leash rewarded the felicity of this +application, and sent the fool howling off to seek a more +favourable audience, for his pleasantry. At the same time Raoul +pressed up to Damian, and with an earnestness very different from +his usual dry causticity of manner, begged him for God's sake not +to make himself the general spectacle, by standing there as if the +devil sat on the doorway, but either to enter, or, what might be +as becoming, to retire, and make himself more fit in apparel for +attending on a solemnity so nearly concerning his house. + +"And what ails my apparel, old man?" said Damian, turning sternly +on the huntsman, as one who has been hastily and uncivilly roused +from a reverie. + +"Only, with respect to your valour," answered the huntsman, "men +do not usually put old mantles over new doublets; and methinks, +with submission, that of yours neither accords with your dress, +nor is fitted for this noble presence." + +"Thou art a fool!" answered Damian, "and as green in wit as gray +in years. Know you not that in these days the young and old +consort together--contract together--wed together? and should we +take more care to make our apparel consistent than our actions?" + +"For God's sake, my lord," said Raoul, "forbear these wild and +dangerous words! they may be heard by other ears than mine, and +construed by worse interpreters. There may be here those who will +pretend to track mischief from light words, as I would find a buck +from his frayings. Your cheek is pale, my lord, your eye is blood- +shot; for Heaven's sake, retire!" + +"I will not retire," said Damian, with yet more distemperature of +manner, "till I have seen the Lady Eveline." + +"For the sake of all the saints," ejaculated Raoul, "not now!--You +will do my lady incredible injury by forcing yourself into her +presence in this condition." + +"Do you think so!" said Damian, the remark seeming to operate as a +sedative which enabled him to collect his scattered thoughts.--"Do +you really think so?--I thought that to have looked upon her once +more--but no--you are in the right, old man." + +He turned from the door as if to withdraw, but ere he could +accomplish his purpose, he turned yet more pale than before, +staggered, and fell on the pavement ere Raoul could afford him his +support, useless as that might have proved. Those who raised him +were surprised to observe that his garments were soiled with +blood, and that the stains upon his cloak, which had been +criticised by Raoul, were of the same complexion. A grave-looking +personage, wrapped in a sad-coloured mantle, came forth from the +crowd. + +"I knew how it would be," he said; "I made venesection this +morning, and commanded repose and sleep according to the aphorisms +of Hippocrates; but if young gentlemen will neglect the ordinance +of their physician, medicine will avenge herself. It is impossible +that my bandage or ligature, knit by these fingers, should have +started, but to avenge the neglect of the precepts of art." + +"What means this prate?" said the voice of the Constable, before +which all others were silent. He had been summoned forth just as +the rite of espousal or betrothing was concluded, on the confusion +occasioned by Damian's situation, and now sternly commanded the +physician to replace the bandages which had slipped from his +nephew's arm, himself assisting in the task of supporting the +patient, with the anxious and deeply agitated feelings of one who +saw a near and justly valued relative--as yet, the heir of his +fame and family--stretched before him in a condition so dangerous. + +But the griefs of the powerful and the fortunate are often mingled +with impatience of interrupted prosperity. "What means this?" he +demanded sternly of the leech. "I sent you this morning to attend +my nephew on the first tidings of his illness, and commanded that +he should make no attempt to be present on this day's solemnity, +yet I find him in this state, and in this place." + +"So please your lordship," replied the leech, with a conscious +self-importance, which even the presence of the Constable could +not subdue--_"Curatio est canonica, non coacta;_ which +signifieth, my lord, that the physician acteth his cure by rules +of art and science--by advice and prescription, but not by force +or violence upon the patient, who cannot be at all benefited +unless he be voluntarily amenable to the orders of his medicum." + +"Tell me not of your jargon," said De Lacy; "if my nephew was +lightheaded enough to attempt to come hither in the heat of a +delirious distemper, you should have had sense to prevent him, had +it been by actual force." + +"It may be," said, Randal de Lacy, joining the crowd, who, +forgetting the cause which had brought them together, were now +assembled about Damian, "that more powerful was the magnet which +drew our kinsman hither, than aught the leech could do to withhold +him." + +The Constable, still busied about his nephew, looked up as Randal +spoke, and, when he was done, asked, with formal coldness of +manner, "Ha, fair kinsman, of what magnet do you speak?" + +"Surely of your nephew's love and regard to your lordship," +answered Randal, "which, not to mention his respect for the lady +Eveline, must have compelled him hither, if his limbs were able to +bear him.--And here the bride comes, I think, in charity, to thank +him for his zeal." + +"What unhappy case is this?" said the Lady Eveline, pressing +forward, much disordered with the intelligence of Damian's danger, +which had been suddenly conveyed to her. "Is there nothing in +which my poor service may avail?" + +"Nothing, lady," said the Constable, rising from beside his +nephew, and taking her hand; "your kindness is here mistimed. This +motley assembly, this unseeming confusion, become not your +presence." + +"Unless it could be helpful, my lord," said Eveline, eagerly. "It +is your nephew who is in danger--my deliverer--one of my +deliverers, I would say." + +"He is fitly attended by his chirurgeon," said the Constable, +leading back his reluctant bride to the convent, while the medical +attendant triumphantly exclaimed, + +"Well judgeth my Lord Constable, to withdraw his noble Lady from +the host of petticoated empirics, who, like so many Amazons, break +in upon and derange the regular course of physical practice, with +their petulant prognostics, their rash recipes, their mithridate, +their febrifuges, their amulets, and their charms. Well speaketh +the Ethnic poet, + + 'Non audet, nisi qua didicit, dare quod medicorum est; + Promittunt medici--tractant fabrilia fabri,'" + +As he repeated these lines with much emphasis, the doctor +permitted his patient's arm to drop from his hand, that he might +aid the cadence with a flourish of his own. "There," said he to +the spectators, "is what none of you understand--no, by Saint +Luke, nor the Constable himself." + +"But he knows how to whip in a hound that babbles when he should +be busy," said Raoul; and, silenced by this hint, the chirurgeon +betook himself to his proper duty, of superintending the removal +of young Damian to an apartment in the neighbouring street, where +the symptoms of his disorder seemed rather to increase than +diminish, and speedily required all the skill and attention which +the leech could bestow. + +The subscription of the contract of marriage had, as already +noticed, been just concluded, when the company assembled on the +occasion were interrupted by the news of Damian's illness. When +the Constable led his bride from the court-yard into the apartment +where the company was assembled, there was discomposure and +uneasiness on the countenance of both; and it was not a little +increased by the bride pulling her hand hastily from the hold of +the bridegroom, on observing that the latter was stained with +recent blood, and had in truth left the same stamp upon her own. +With a faint exclamation she showed the marks to Rose, saying at +the same time, "What bodes this?--Is this the revenge of the +Bloody-finger already commencing?" + +"It bodes nothing, my dearest lady," said Rose--"it is our fears +that are prophets, not those trifles which we take for augury. For +God's sake, speak to my lord! He is surprised at your agitation." + +"Let him ask me the cause himself," said Eveline; "fitter it +should be told at his bidding, than be offered by me unasked." + +The Constable, while his bride stood thus conversing with her +maiden, had also observed, that in his anxiety to assist his +nephew, he had transferred part of his blood from his own hands to +Eveline's dress. He came forward to apologize for what at such a +moment seemed almost ominous. "Fair lady," said he, "the blood of +a true De Lacy can never bode aught but peace and happiness to +you." + +Eveline seemed as if she would have answered, but could not +immediately find words. The faithful Rose, at the risk of +incurring the censure of being over forward, hastened to reply to +the compliment. "Every damsel is bound to believe what you say, my +noble lord," was her answer, "knowing how readily that blood hath +ever flowed for protecting the distressed, and so lately for our +own relief." + +"It is well spoken, little one," answered the Constable; "and the +Lady Eveline is happy in a maiden who so well knows how to speak +when it is her own pleasure to be silent.--Come, lady," he added, +"let us hope this mishap of my kinsman is but like a sacrifice to +fortune, which permits not the brightest hour to pass without some +intervening shadow. Damian, I trust, will speedily recover; and be +we mindful that the blood-drops which alarm you have been drawn by +a friendly steel, and are symptoms rather of recovery than of +illness.--Come, dearest lady, your silence discourages our +friends, and wakes in them doubts whether we be sincere in the +welcome due to them. Let me be your sewer," he said; and, taking a +silver ewer and napkin from the standing cupboard, which was +loaded with plate, he presented them on his knee to his bride. + +Exerting herself to shake off the alarm into which she had been +thrown by some supposed coincidence of the present accident with +the apparition at Baldringham, Eveline, entering into her +betrothed husband's humour, was about to raise him from the +ground, when she was interrupted by the arrival of a hasty +messenger, who, coming into the room without ceremony, informed +the Constable that his nephew was so extremely ill, that if he +hoped to see him alive, it would be necessary he should come to +his lodgings instantly. + +The Constable started up, made a brief adieu to Eveline and to the +guests, who, dismayed at this new and disastrous intelligence, +were preparing to disperse themselves, when, as he advanced +towards the door, he was met by a Paritor, or Summoner of the +Ecclesiastical Court, whose official dress had procured him +unobstructed entrance into the precincts of the abbey. + +_"Deus vobiscum,"_ said the paritor; "I would know which of +this fair company is the Constable of Chester?" + +"I am he," answered the elder De Lacy; "but if thy business be not +the more hasty, I cannot now speak with thee--I am bound on +matters of life and death." + +"I take all Christian people to witness that I have discharged my +duty," said the paritor, putting into the hand of the Constable a +slip of parchment. + +"How is this, fellow?" said the Constable, in great indignation-- +"for whom or what does your master the Archbishop take me, that he +deals with me in this uncourteous fashion, citing me to compear +before him more like a delinquent than a friend or a nobleman?" + +"My gracious lord," answered the paritor, haughtily, "is +accountable to no one but our Holy Father the Pope, for the +exercise of the power which is intrusted to him by the canons of +the Church. Your lordship's answer to my citation?" + +"Is the Archbishop present in this city?" said the Constable, +after a moment's reflection--"I knew not of his purpose to travel +hither, still less of his purpose to exercise authority within +these bounds." + +"My gracious lord the Archbishop," said the paritor, "is but now +arrived in this city, of which he is metropolitan; and, besides, +by his apostolical commission, a legate _a latere_ hath +plenary jurisdiction throughout all England, as those may find +(whatsoever be their degree) who may dare to disobey his summons." + +"Hark thee, fellow," said the Constable, regarding the paritor +with a grim and angry countenance, "were it not for certain +respects, which I promise thee thy tawny hood hath little to do +with, thou wert better have swallowed thy citation, seal and all, +than delivered it to me with the addition of such saucy terms. Go +hence, and tell your master I will see him within the space of an +hour, during which time I am delayed by the necessity of attending +a sick relation." + +The paritor left the apartment with more humility in his manner +than when he had entered, and left the assembled guests to look +upon each other in silence and dismay. + +The reader cannot fail to remember how severely the yoke of the +Roman supremacy pressed both on the clergy and laity of England +during the reign of Henry II. Even the attempt of that wise and +courageous monarch to make a stand for the independence of his +throne in the memorable case of Thomas a Becket, had such an +unhappy issue, that, like a suppressed rebellion, it was found to +add new strength to the domination of the Church. Since the +submission of the king in that ill-fated struggle, the voice of +Rome had double potency whenever it was heard, and the boldest +peers of England held it more wise to submit to her imperious +dictates, than to provoke a spiritual censure which had so many +secular consequences. Hence the slight and scornful manner in +which the Constable was treated by the prelate Baldwin struck a +chill of astonishment into the assembly of friends whom he had +collected to witness his espousals; and as he glanced his haughty +eye around, he saw that many who would have stood by him through +life and death in any other quarrel, had it even been with his +sovereign, were turning pale at the very thought of a collision +with the Church. Embarrassed, and at the same time incensed at +their timidity, the Constable hasted to dismiss them, with the +general assurance that all would be well--that his nephew's +indisposition was a trifling complaint, exaggerated by a conceited +physician, and by his own want of care--and that the message of +the Archbishop, so unceremoniously delivered, was but the +consequence of their mutual and friendly familiarity, which +induced them sometimes, for the jest's sake, to reverse or neglect +the ordinary forms of intercourse.--"If I wanted to speak with the +prelate Baldwin on express business and in haste, such is the +humility and indifference to form of that worthy pillar of the +Church, that I should not fear offence," said the Constable, "did +I send the meanest horseboy in my troop to ask an audience of +him." + +So he spoke--but there was something in his countenance which +contradicted his words; and his friends and relations retired from +the splendid and joyful ceremony of his espousals as from a +funeral feast, with anxious thoughts and with downcast eyes. + +Randal was the only person, who, having attentively watched the +whole progress of the affair during the evening, ventured to +approach his cousin as he left the house, and asked him, "in the +name of their reunited friendship, whether he had nothing to +command him?" assuring him, with a look more expressive than his +words, that he would not find him cold in his service. + +"I have nought which can exercise your zeal, fair cousin," replied +the Constable, with the air of one who partly questioned the +speaker's sincerity; and the parting reverence with which he +accompanied his words, left Randal no pretext for continuing his +attendance, as he seemed to have designed. + + + + +CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH. + + + Oh, were I seated high as my ambition, + I'd place this naked foot on necks of monarchs! + MYSTERIOUS MOTHER. + + +The most anxious and unhappy moment of Hugo de Lacy's life, was +unquestionably that in which, by espousing Eveline with all civil +and religious solemnity, he seemed to approach to what for some +time he had considered as the prime object of his wishes. He was +assured of the early possession of a beautiful and amiable wife, +endowed with such advantage of worldly goods, as gratified his +ambition as well as his affections--Yet, even in this fortunate +moment, the horizon darkened around him, in a manner which +presaged nought but storm and calamity. At his nephew's lodging he +learned that the pulse of the patient had risen, and his delirium +had augmented, and all around him spoke very doubtfully of his +chance of recovery, or surviving a crisis which seemed speedily +approaching. The Constable stole towards the door of the apartment +which his feelings permitted him not to enter, and listened to the +raving which the fever gave rise to. Nothing can be more +melancholy than to hear the mind at work concerning its ordinary +occupations, when the body is stretched in pain and danger upon +the couch of severe sickness; the contrast betwixt the ordinary +state of health, its joys or its labours, renders doubly affecting +the actual helplessness of the patient before whom these visions +are rising, and we feel a corresponding degree of compassion for +the sufferer whose thoughts are wandering so far from his real +condition. + +The Constable felt this acutely, as he heard his nephew shout the +war-cry of the family repeatedly, appearing, by the words of +command and direction, which he uttered from time to time, to be +actively engaged in leading his men-at-arms against the Welsh. At +another time he uttered various terms of the _manege_, of +falconry, and of the chase--he mentioned his uncle's name +repeatedly on these occasions, as if the idea of his kinsman had +been connected alike with his martial encounters, and with his +sports by wood and river. Other sounds there were, which he +muttered so low as to be altogether undistinguishable. + +With a heart even still more softened towards his kinsman's +sufferings from hearing the points on which his mind wandered, the +Constable twice applied his hand to the latch of the door, in +order to enter the bedroom, and twice forebore, his eyes running +faster with tears than he chose should be witnessed by the +attendants. At length, relinquishing his purpose, he hastily left +the house, mounted his horse, and followed only by four of his +personal attendants, rode towards the palace of the Bishop, where, +as he learned from public rumour, the Archprelate Baldwin had +taken up his temporary residence. + +The train of riders and of led-horses, of sumpter mules, and of +menials and attendants, both lay and ecclesiastical, which +thronged around the gate of the Episcopal mansion, together with +the gaping crowd of inhabitants who had gathered around, some to +gaze upon the splendid show, some to have the chance of receiving +the benediction of the Holy Prelate, was so great as to impede the +Constable's approach to the palace-door; and when this obstacle +was surmounted, he found another in the obstinacy of the +Archbishop's attendants, who permitted him not, though announced +by name and title, to cross the threshold of the mansion, until +they should receive the express command of their master to that +effect. + +The Constable felt the full effect of this slighting reception. He +had dismounted from his horse in full confidence of being +instantly admitted into the palace at least, if not into the +Prelate's presence; and as he now stood on foot among the squires, +grooms, and horseboys of the spiritual lord, he was so much +disgusted, that his first impulse was to remount his horse, and +return to his pavilion, pitched for the time before the city +walls, leaving it to the Bishop to seek him there, if he really +desired an interview. But the necessity of conciliation almost +immediately rushed on his mind, and subdued the first haughty +impulse of his offended pride. "If our wise King," he said to +himself, "hath held the stirrup of one Prelate of Canterbury when +living, and submitted to the most degrading observances before his +shrine when dead, surely I need not be more scrupulous towards his +priestly successor in the same overgrown authority." Another +thought, which he dared hardly to acknowledge, recommended the +same humble and submissive course. He could not but feel that, in +endeavouring to evade his vows as a crusader, he was incurring +some just censure from the Church; and he was not unwilling to +hope, that his present cold and scornful reception on Baldwin's +part, might be meant as a part of the penance which his conscience +informed him his conduct was about to receive. + +After a short interval, De Lacy was at length invited to enter the +palace of the Bishop of Gloucester, in which he was to meet the +Primate of England; but there was more than one brief pause, in +hall and anteroom, ere he at length was admitted to Baldwin's +presence. + +The successor of the celebrated Becket had neither the extensive +views, nor the aspiring spirit, of that redoubted personage; but, +on the other hand, saint as the latter had become, it may be +questioned, whether, in his professions for the weal of +Christendom, he was half so sincere as was the present Archbishop. +Baldwin was, in truth, a man well qualified to defend the powers +which the Church had gained, though perhaps of a character too +sincere and candid to be active in extending them. The advancement +of the Crusade was the chief business of his life, his success the +principal cause of his pride; and, if the sense of possessing the +powers of eloquent persuasion, and skill to bend the minds of men +to his purpose, was blended with his religious zeal, still the +tenor of his life, and afterwards his death before Ptolemais, +showed that the liberation of the Holy Sepulchre from the infidels +was the unfeigned object of all his exertions. Hugo de Lacy well +knew this; and the difficulty of managing such a temper appeared +much greater to him on the eve of the interview in which the +attempt was to be made, than he had suffered himself to suppose +when the crisis was yet distant. + +The Prelate, a man of a handsome and stately form, with features +rather too severe to be pleasing, received the Constable in all +the pomp of ecclesiastical dignity. He was seated on a chair of +oak, richly carved with Gothic ornaments, and placed above the +rest of the floor under a niche of the same workmanship. His dress +was the rich episcopal robe, ornamented with costly embroidery, +and fringed around the neck and cuffs; it opened from the throat +and in the middle, and showed an under vestment of embroidery, +betwixt the folds of which, as if imperfectly concealed, peeped +the close shirt of hair-cloth which the Prelate constantly wore +under all his pompous attire. His mitre was placed beside him on +an oaken table of the same workmanship with his throne, against +which also rested his pastoral staff, representing a shepherd's +crook of the simplest form, yet which had proved more powerful and +fearful than lance or scimetar, when wielded by the hand of Thomas +a Becket. A chaplain in a white surplice kneeled at a little +distance before a desk, and read forth from an illuminated volume +some portion of a theological treatise, in which Baldwin appeared +so deeply interested, that he did not appear to notice the +entrance of the Constable, who, highly displeased at this +additional slight, stood on the floor of the hall, undetermined +whether to interrupt the reader, and address the Prelate at once, +or to withdraw without saluting him at all. Ere he had formed a +resolution, the chaplain had arrived at some convenient pause in +the lecture, where the Archbishop stopped him with, "_Satis est, +mi fili._" + +It was in vain that the proud secular Baron strove to conceal the +embarrassment with which he approached the Prelate, whose attitude +was plainly assumed for the purpose of impressing him with awe and +solicitude. He tried, indeed, to exhibit a demeanour of such ease +as might characterize their old friendship, or at least of such +indifference as might infer the possession of perfect +tranquillity; but he failed in both, and his address expressed +mortified pride, mixed with no ordinary degree of embarrassment. +The genius of the Catholic Church was on such occasions sure to +predominate over the haughtiest of the laity. + +"I perceive," said De Lacy, collecting his thoughts, and ashamed +to find he had difficulty in doing so,--"I perceive that an old +friendship is here dissolved. Methinks Hugo de Lacy might have +expected another messenger to summon him to this reverend +presence, and that another welcome should wait him on his +arrival." + +The Archbishop raised himself slowly in his seat, and made a half- +inclination towards the Constable, who, by an instinctive desire +of conciliation, returned it lower than he had intended, or than +the scanty courtesy merited. The Prelate at the same time signing +to his chaplain, the latter rose to withdraw, and receiving +permission in the phrase "_Do veniam_," retreated reverentially, +without either turning his back or looking upwards, his eyes fixed +on the ground, his hands still folded in his habit, and crossed +over his bosom. + +When this mute attendant had disappeared, the Prelate's brow +became more open, yet retained a dark shade of grave displeasure, +and he replied to the address of De Lacy, but still without rising +from his seat. "It skills not now, my lord, to say what the brave +Constable of Chester has been to the poor priest Baldwin, or with +what love and pride we beheld him assume the holy sign of +salvation, and, to honour Him by whom he has himself been raised +to honour, vow himself to the deliverance of the Holy Land. If I +still see that noble lord before me, in the same holy resolution, +let me know the joyful truth, and I will lay aside rochet and +mitre, and tend his horse like a groom, if it be necessary by such +menial service to show the cordial respect I bear to him." + +"Reverend father," answered De Lacy, with hesitation, "I had hoped +that the propositions which were made to you on my part by the +Dean of Hereford, might have seemed more satisfactory in your +eyes." Then, regaining his native confidence, he proceeded with +more assurance in speech and manner; for the cold inflexible looks +of the Archbishop irritated him. "If these proposals can be +amended, my lord, let me know in what points, and, if possible, +your pleasure shall be done, even if it should prove somewhat +unreasonable. I would have peace, my lord, with Holy Church, and +am the last who would despise her mandates. This has been known by +my deeds in field, and counsels in the state; nor can I think my +services have merited cold looks and cold language from the +Primate of England." + +"Do you upbraid the Church with your services, vain man?" said +Baldwin. "I tell thee, Hugo de Lacy, that what Heaven hath wrought +for the Church by thy hand, could, had it been the divine +pleasure, have been achieved with as much ease by the meanest +horseboy in thy host. It is _thou_ that art honoured, in +being the chosen instrument by which great things have been +wrought in Israel.--Nay, interrupt me not--I tell thee, proud +baron, that, in the sight of Heaven, thy wisdom is but as folly-- +thy courage, which thou dost boast, but the cowardice of a village +maiden--thy strength weakness--thy spear an osier, and thy sword a +bulrush." + +"All this I know, good father," said the Constable, "and have ever +heard it repeated when such poor services as I may have rendered +are gone and past. Marry, when there was need for my helping hand, +I was the very good lord of priest and prelate, and one who should +be honoured and prayed for with patrons and founders who sleep in +the choir and under the high altar. There was no thought, I trow, +of osier or of bulrush, when I have been prayed to couch my lance +or draw my weapon; it is only when they are needless that they and +their owner are undervalued. Well, my reverend father, be it so,-- +if the Church can cast the Saracens from the Holy Land by grooms +and horseboys, wherefore do you preach knights and nobles from the +homes and the countries which they are born to protect and +defend?" + +The Archbishop looked steadily on him as he replied, "Not for the +sake of their fleshly arm do we disturb your knights and barons in +their prosecution of barbarous festivities, and murderous feuds, +which you call enjoying their homes and protecting their domains, +--not that Omnipotence requires their arm of flesh to execute the +great predestined work of liberation--but for the weal of their +immortal souls." These last words he pronounced with great +emphasis. + +The Constable paced the floor impatiently, and muttered to +himself, "Such is the airy guerdon for which hosts on hosts have +been drawn from Europe to drench the sands of Palestine with their +gore--such the vain promises for which we are called upon to +barter our country, our lands, and our lives!" + +"Is it Hugo de Lacy speaks thus?" said the Archbishop, arising +from his seat, and qualifying his tone of censure with the +appearance of shame and of regret--"Is it he who underprizes the +renown of a knight--the virtue of a Christian--the advancement of +his earthly honour--the more incalculable profit of his immortal +soul?--Is it he who desires a solid and substantial recompense in +lands or treasures, to be won by warring on his less powerful +neighbours at home, while knightly honour and religious faith, his +vow as a knight and his baptism as a Christian, call him to a more +glorious and more dangerous strife?--Can it be indeed Hugo de +Lacy, the mirror of the Anglo-Norman chivalry, whose thoughts can +conceive such sentiments, whose words can utter them?" + +"Flattery and fair speech, suitably mixed with taunts and +reproaches, my lord," answered the Constable, colouring and biting +his lip, "may carry your point with others; but I am of a temper +too solid to be either wheedled or goaded into measures of +importance. Forbear, therefore, this strain of affected amazement; +and believe me, that whether he goes to the Crusade or abides at +home, the character of Hugo de Lacy will remain as unimpeached in +point of courage as that of the Archbishop Baldwin in point of +sanctitude." + +"May it stand much higher," said the Archbishop, "than the +reputation with which you vouchsafe to compare it! but a blaze may +be extinguished as well as a spark; and I tell the Constable of +Chester, that the fame which has set on his basnet for so many +years, may flit from it in one moment, never to be recalled." + +"Who dares to say so?" said the Constable, tremblingly alive to +the honour for which he had encountered so many dangers. + +"A friend," said the Prelate, "whose stripes should be received as +benefits. You think of pay, Sir Constable, and of guerdon, as if +you still stood in the market, free to chaffer on the terms of +your service. I tell you, you are no longer your own master--you +are, by the blessed badge you have voluntarily assumed, the +soldier of God himself; nor can you fly from your standard without +such infamy as even coistrels or grooms are unwilling to incur." + +"You deal all too hardly with us, my lord," said Hugo de Lacy, +stopping short in his troubled walk. "You of the spirituality make +us laymen the pack-horses of your own concerns, and climb to +ambitious heights by the help of our over-burdened shoulders; but +all hath its limits--Becket transgressed it, and----" + +A gloomy and expressive look corresponded with the tone in which +he spoke this broken sentence; and the Prelate, at no loss to +comprehend his meaning, replied, in a firm and determined voice, +"And he was _murdered!_--that is what you dare to hint to me-- +even to me, the successor of that glorified saint--as a motive +for complying with your fickle and selfish wish to withdraw your +hand from the plough. You know not to whom you address such a +threat. True, Becket, from a saint militant on earth, arrived, by +the bloody path of martyrdom, to the dignity of a saint in Heaven; +and no less true is it, that, to attain a seat a thousand degrees +beneath that of his blessed predecessor, the unworthy Baldwin were +willing to submit, under Our Lady's protection, to whatever the +worst of wicked men can inflict on his earthly frame." + +"There needs not this show of courage, reverend father," said +Lacy, recollecting himself, "where there neither is, nor can be, +danger. I pray you, let us debate this matter more deliberately. I +have never meant to break off my purpose for the Holy Land, but +only to postpone it. Methinks the offers that I have made are +fair, and ought to obtain for me what has been granted to others +in the like case--a slight delay in the time of my departure." + +"A slight delay on the part of such a leader as you, noble De +Lacy," answered the Prelate, "were a death-blow to our holy and +most gallant enterprise. To meaner men we might have granted the +privilege of marrying and giving in marriage, even although they +care not for the sorrows of Jacob; but you, my lord, are a main +prop of our enterprise, and, being withdrawn, the whole fabric may +fall to the ground. Who in England will deem himself obliged to +press forward, when Hugo de Lacy falls back? Think, my lord, less +upon your plighted bride, and more on your plighted word; and +believe not that a union can ever come to good, which shakes your +purpose towards our blessed undertaking for the honour of +Christendom." + +The Constable was embarrassed by the pertinacity of the Prelate, +and began to give way to his arguments, though most reluctantly, +and only because the habits and opinions of the time left him no +means of combating his arguments, otherwise than by solicitation. +"I admit," he said, "my engagements for the Crusade, nor have I--I +repeat it--farther desire than that brief interval which may be +necessary to place my important affairs in order. Meanwhile, my +vassals, led by my nephew----" + +"Promise that which is within thy power," said the Prelate. "Who +knows whether, in resentment of thy seeking after other things +than HIS most holy cause, thy nephew may not be called hence, even +while we speak together?" + +"God forbid!" said the Baron, starting up, as if about to fly to +his nephew's assistance; then suddenly pausing, he turned on the +Prelate a keen and investigating glance. "It is not well," he +said, "that your reverence should thus trifle with the dangers +which threaten my house. Damian is dear to me for his own good +qualities--dear for the sake of my only brother.--May God forgive +us both! he died when we were in unkindness with each other.--My +lord, your words import that my beloved nephew suffers pain and +incurs danger on account of my offences?" The Archbishop perceived +he had at length touched the chord to which his refractory +penitent's heart-strings must needs vibrate. He replied with +circumspection, as well knowing with whom he had to deal,--"Far be +it from me to presume to interpret the counsels of Heaven! but we +read in Scripture, that when the fathers eat sour grapes, the +teeth of the children are set on edge. What so reasonable as that +we should be punished for our pride and contumacy, by a judgment +specially calculated to abate and bend that spirit of surquedry? +[Footnote: Self-importance, or assumption.] You yourself best know +if this disease clung to thy nephew before you had meditated +defection from the banner of the Cross." + +Hugo de Lacy hastily recollected himself, and found that it was +indeed true, that, until he thought of his union with Eveline, +there had appeared no change in his nephew's health. His silence +and confusion did not escape the artful Prelate. He took the hand +of the warrior as he stood before him overwhelmed in doubt, lest +his preference of the continuance of his own house to the rescue +of the Holy Sepulchre should have been punished by the disease +which threatened his nephew's life. "Come," he said, "noble De +Lacy--the judgment provoked by a moment's presumption may be even +yet averted by prayer and penitence. The dial went back at the +prayer of the good King Hezekiah--down, down upon thy knees, and +doubt not that, with confession, and penance, and absolution, thou +mayst yet atone for thy falling away from the cause of Heaven." + +Borne down by the dictates of the religion in which he had been +educated, and by the fears lest his delay was punished by his +nephew's indisposition and danger, the Constable sunk on his knees +before the Prelate, whom he had shortly before well-nigh braved, +confessed, as a sin to be deeply repented of, his purpose of +delaying his departure for Palestine, and received, with patience +at least, if not with willing acquiescence, the penance inflicted +by the Archbishop; which consisted in a prohibition to proceed +farther in his proposed wedlock with the Lady Eveline, until he +was returned from Palestine, where he was bound by his vow to +abide for the term of three years. + +"And now, noble De Lacy," said the Prelate, "once more my best +beloved and most honoured friend--is not thy bosom lighter since +thou hast thus nobly acquitted thee of thy debt to Heaven, and +cleansed thy gallant spirit from those selfish and earthly stains +which dimmed its brightness?" + +The Constable sighed. "My happiest thoughts at this moment," he +said, "would arise from knowledge that my nephew's health is +amended." + +"Be not discomforted on the score of the noble Damian, your +hopeful and valorous kinsman," said the Archbishop, "for well I +trust shortly ye shall hear of his recovery; or that, if it shall +please God to remove him to a better world, the passage shall be +so easy, and his arrival in yonder haven of bliss so speedy, that +it were better for him to have died than to have lived." + +The Constable looked at him, as if to gather from his countenance +more certainty of his nephew's fate than his words seemed to +imply; and the Prelate, to escape being farther pressed on the +subject on which he was perhaps conscious he had ventured too far, +rung a silver bell which stood before him on the table, and +commanded the chaplain who entered at the summons, that he should +despatch a careful messenger to the lodging of Damian Lacy to +bring particular accounts of his health. + +"A stranger," answered the chaplain, "just come from the sick +chamber of the noble Damian Lacy, waits here even now to have +speech of my Lord Constable." + +"Admit him instantly," said the Archbishop--"my mind tells me he +brings us joyful tidings.--Never knew I such humble penitence,-- +such willing resignation of natural affections and desires to the +doing of Heaven's service, but it was rewarded with a guerdon +either temporal or spiritual." + +As he spoke, a man singularly dressed entered the apartment. His +garments, of various colours, and showily disposed, were none of +the newest or cleanest, neither were they altogether fitting for +the presence in which he now stood. + +"How now, sirrah!" said the Prelate; "when was it that jugglers +and minstrels pressed into the company of such as we without +permission?" + +"So please you," said the man, "my instant business was not with +your reverend lordship, but with my lord the Constable, to whom I +will hope that my good news may atone for my evil apparel." + +"Speak, sirrah, does my kinsman live?" said the Constable eagerly. + +"And is like to live, my lord," answered the man--"a favourable +crisis (so the leeches call it) hath taken place in his disorder, +and they are no longer under any apprehensions for his life." + +"Now, God be praised, that hath granted me so much mercy!" said +the Constable. + +"Amen, amen!" replied the Archbishop solemnly.--"About what period +did this blessed change take place?" + +"Scarcely a quarter of an hour since," said the messenger, "a soft +sleep fell on the sick youth, like dew upon a parched field in +summer--he breathed freely--the burning heat abated--and, as I +said, the leeches no longer fear for his life." + +"Marked you the hour, my Lord Constable?" said the Bishop, with +exultation--"Even then you stooped to those counsels which Heaven +suggested through the meanest of its servants! But two words +avouching penitence--but one brief prayer--and some kind saint has +interceded for an instant hearing, and a liberal granting of thy +petition. Noble Hugo," he continued, grasping his hand in a +species of enthusiasm, "surely Heaven designs to work high things +by the hand of him whose faults are thus readily forgiven--whose +prayer is thus instantly heard. For this shall _Te Deum +Laudamus_ be said in each church, and each convent in +Gloucester, ere the world be a day older." + +The Constable, no less joyful, though perhaps less able to +perceive an especial providence in his nephew's recovery, +expressed his gratitude to the messenger of the good tidings, by +throwing him his purse. + +"I thank you, noble lord," said the man; "but if I stoop to pick +up this taste of your bounty, it is only to restore it again to +the donor." + +"How now, sir?" said the Constable, "methinks thy coat seems not +so well lined as needs make thee spurn at such a guerdon." + +"He that designs to catch larks, my lord," replied the messenger, +"must not close his net upon sparrows--I have a greater boon to +ask of your lordship, and therefore I decline your present +gratuity." + +"A greater boon, ha!" said the Constable,--"I am no knight-errant, +to bind myself by promise to grant it ere I know its import; but +do thou come to my pavilion to-morrow, and thou wilt not find me +unwilling to do what is reason." + +So saying, he took leave of the Prelate, and returned homeward, +failing not to visit his nephew's lodging as he passed, where he +received the same pleasant assurances which had been communicated +by the messenger of the particoloured mantle. + + + + +CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH. + + + He was a minstrel--in his mood + Was wisdom mix'd with folly; + A tame companion to the good, + But wild and fierce among the rude, + And jovial with the jolly. + ARCHIBALD ARMSTRONG. + + +The events of the preceding day had been of a nature so +interesting, and latterly so harassing, that the Constable felt +weary as after a severely contested battle-field, and slept +soundly until the earliest beams of dawn saluted him through the +opening of the tent. It was then that, with a mingled feeling of +pain and satisfaction, he began to review the change which had +taken place in his condition since the preceding morning. He had +then risen an ardent bridegroom, anxious to find favour in the +eyes of his fair bride, and scrupulous about his dress and +appointments, as if he had been as young in years as in hopes and +wishes. This was over, and he had now before him the painful task +of leaving his betrothed for a term of years, even before wedlock +had united them indissolubly, and of reflecting that she was +exposed to all the dangers which assail female constancy in a +situation thus critical. When the immediate anxiety for his nephew +was removed, he was tempted to think that he had been something +hasty in listening to the arguments of the Archbishop, and in +believing that Damian's death or recovery depended upon his own +accomplishing, to the letter, and without delay, his vow for the +Holy Land. "How many princes and kings," he thought to himself, +"have assumed the Cross, and delayed or renounced it, yet lived +and died in wealth and honour, without sustaining such a +visitation as that with which Baldwin threatened me; and in what +case or particular did such men deserve more indulgence than I? +But the die is now cast, and it signifies little to inquire +whether my obedience to the mandates of the Church has saved the +life of my nephew, or whether I have not fallen, as laymen are +wont to fall, whenever there is an encounter of wits betwixt them +and those of the spirituality. I would to God it may prove +otherwise, since, girding on my sword as Heaven's champion, I +might the better expect Heaven's protection for her whom I must +unhappily leave behind me." + +As these reflections passed through his mind, he heard the warders +at the entrance of his tent challenge some one whose footsteps +were heard approaching it. The person stopped on their challenge, +and presently after was heard the sound of a rote, (a small +species of lute,) the strings of which were managed by means of a +small wheel. After a short prelude, a manly voice, of good +compass, sung verses, which, translated into modern language, +might run nearly thus: + + I. + + "Soldier, wake--the day is peeping:, + Honour ne'er was won in sleeping, + Never when the sunbeams still + Lay unreflected on the hill: + 'Tis when they are glinted back + From axe and armour, spear and jack, + That they promise future story + Many a page of deathless glory. + Shields that are the foe man's terror, + Ever are the morning's mirror. + + II. + + "Arm and up--the morning beam + Hath call'd the rustic to his team, + Hath call'd the falc'ner to the lake, + Hath call'd the huntsman to the brake; + The early student ponders o'er + His dusty tomes of ancient lore. + Soldier, wake--thy harvest, fame; + Thy study, conquest; war, thy game. + Shield, that would be foeman's terror, + Still should gleam the morning's mirror. + + III. + + "Poor hire repays the rustic's pain; + More paltry still the sportsman's gain; + Vainest of all, the student's theme + End in gome metaphysic dream. + Yet each is up, and each has toil'd + Since first the peep of dawn has smiled; + And each is eagerer in his aim + Than he who barters life for fame. + Up, up, and arm thee, son of terror! + Be thy bright shield the morning's mirror." + +When the song was finished, the Constable heard some talking +without, and presently Philip Guarine entered the pavilion to tell +that a person, come hither as he said by the Constable's +appointment, waited permission to speak with him. + +"By my appointment?" said De Lacy; "admit him immediately." + +The messenger of the preceding evening entered the tent, holding +in one hand his small cap and feather, in the other the rote on +which he had been just playing. His attire was fantastic, +consisting of more than one inner dress of various colours, all of +the brightest and richest dyes, and disposed so as to contrast +with each other--the upper garment was a very short Norman cloak, +in bright green. An embroidered girdle sustained, in lieu of +offensive weapons, an inkhorn with its appurtenances on the one +side, on the other a knife for the purposes of the table. His hair +was cut in imitation of the clerical tonsure, which was designed +to intimate that he had arrived to a certain rank in his +profession; for the Joyous Science, as the profession of +minstrelsy was termed, had its various ranks, like the degrees in +the church and in chivalry. The features and the manners of the +man seemed to be at variance with his profession and habit; for, +as the latter was gay and fantastic, the former had a cast of +gravity, and almost of sternness, which, unless when kindled by +the enthusiasm of his poetical and musical exertions, seemed +rather to indicate deep reflection, than the thoughtless vivacity +of observation which characterized most of his brethren. His +countenance, though not handsome, had therefore something in it +striking and impressive, even from its very contrast with the +particoloured hues and fluttering shape of his vestments; and the +Constable felt something inclined to patronize him, as he said, +"Good-morrow, friend, and I thank thee for thy morning greeting; +it was well sung and well meant, for when we call forth any one to +bethink him how time passes, we do him the credit of supposing +that he can employ to advantage that flitting treasure." + +The man, who had listened in silence, seemed to pause and make an +effort ere he replied, "My intentions, at least, were good, when I +ventured to disturb my lord thus early; and I am glad to learn +that my boldness hath not been evil received at his hand." + +"True," said the Constable, "you had a boon to ask of me. Be +speedy, and say thy request--my leisure is short." + +"It is for permission to follow you to the Holy Land, my lord," +said the man. + +"Thou hast asked what I can hardly grant, my friend," answered De +Lacy--"Thou art a minstrel, art thou not?" + +"An unworthy graduate of the Gay Science, my lord," said the +musician; "yet let me say for myself, that I will not yield to the +king of minstrels, Geoffrey Rudel, though the King of England hath +given him four manors for one song. I would be willing to contend +with him in romance, lay, or fable, were the judge to be King +Henry himself." + +"You have your own good word, doubtless," said De Lacy; +"nevertheless, Sir Minstrel, thou goest not with me. The Crusade +has been already too much encumbered by men of thy idle +profession; and if thou dost add to the number, it shall not be +under my protection. I am too old to be charmed by thy art, charm +thou never so wisely." + +"He that is young enough to seek for, and to win, the love of +beauty," said the minstrel, but in a submissive tone, as if +fearing his freedom might give offence, "should not term himself +too old to feel the charms of minstrelsy." + +The Constable smiled, not insensible to the flattery which +assigned to him the character of a younger gallant. "Thou art a +jester," he said, "I warrant me, in addition to thy other +qualities." + +"No," replied the minstrel, "it is a branch of our profession +which I have for some time renounced--my fortunes have put me out +of tune for jesting." + +"Nay, comrade," said the Constable, "if thou hast been hardly +dealt within the world, and canst comply with the rules of a +family so strictly ordered as mine, it is possible we may agree +together better than I thought. What is thy name and country? thy +speech, methinks, sounds somewhat foreign." + +"I am an Armorican, my lord, from the merry shores of Morbihan; +and hence my tongue hath some touch of my country speech. My name +is Renault Vidal." + +"Such being the case, Renault," said the Constable, "thou shalt +follow me, and I will give orders to the master of my household to +have thee attired something according to thy function, but in more +orderly guise than thou now appearest in. Dost thou understand the +use of a weapon?" + +"Indifferently, my lord," said the Armorican; at the same time +taking a sword from the wall, he drew, and made a pass with it so +close to the Constable's body as he sat on the couch, that he +started up, crying, "Villain, forbear!" + +"La you! noble sir," replied Vidal, lowering with all submission +the point of his weapon--"I have already given you a proof of +sleight which has alarmed even your experience--I have an hundred +other besides." + +"It may be so," said De Lacy, somewhat ashamed at having shown +himself moved by the sudden and lively action of the juggler; "but +I love not jesting with edge-tools, and have too much to do with +sword and sword-blows in earnest, to toy with them; so I pray you +let us have no more of this, but call me my squire and my +chamberlain, for I am about to array me and go to mass." + +The religious duties of the morning performed, it was the +Constable's intention to visit the Lady Abbess, and communicate, +with the necessary precautions and qualifications, the altered +relations in which he was placed towards her niece, by the +resolution he had been compelled to adopt, of departing for the +Crusade before accomplishing his marriage, in the terms of the +precontract already entered into. He was conscious that it would +be difficult to reconcile the good lady to this change of +measures, and he delayed some time ere he could think of the best +mode of communicating and softening the unpleasant intelligence. +An interval was also spent in a visit to his nephew, whose state +of convalescence continued to be as favourable, as if in truth it +had been a miraculous consequence of the Constable's having +complied with the advice of the Archbishop. + +From the lodging of Damian, the Constable proceeded to the convent +of the Benedictine Abbess. But she had been already made +acquainted with the circumstances which he came to communicate, by +a still earlier visit from the Archbishop Baldwin himself. The +Primate had undertaken the office of mediator on this occasion, +conscious that his success of the evening before must have placed +the Constable in a delicate situation with the relations of his +betrothed bride, and willing, by his countenance and authority, to +reconcile the disputes which might ensue. Perhaps he had better +have left Hugo de Lacy to plead his own cause; for the Abbess, +though she listened to the communication with all the respect due +to the highest dignitary of the English Church, drew consequences +from the Constable's change of resolution which the Primate had +not expected. She ventured to oppose no obstacle to De Lacy's +accomplishment of his vows, but strongly argued that the contract +with her niece should be entirely set aside, and each, party left +at liberty to form a new choice. + +It was in vain that the Archbishop endeavoured to dazzle the +Abbess with the future honours to be won by the Constable in the +Holy Land; the splendour of which would attach not to his lady +alone, but to all in the remotest degree allied to or connected +with her. All his eloquence was to no purpose, though upon so +favourite a topic he exerted it to the utmost. The Abbess, it is +true, remained silent for a moment after his arguments had been +exhausted, but it was only to consider how she should intimate in +a suitable and reverent manner, that children, the usual +attendants of a happy union, and the existence of which she looked +to for the continuation of the house of her father and brother, +could not be hoped for with any probability, unless the +precontract was followed by marriage, and the residence of the +married parties in the same country. She therefore insisted, that +the Constable having altered his intentions in this most important +particular, the _fiancailles_ should be entirely abrogated +and set aside; and she demanded of the Primate, as an act of +justice, that, as he had interfered to prevent the bridegroom's +execution of his original purpose, he should now assist with his +influence wholly to dissolve an engagement which had been thus +materially innovated upon. + +The Primate, who was sensible he had himself occasioned De Lacy's +breach of contract, felt himself bound in honour and reputation to +prevent consequences so disagreeable to his friend, as the +dissolution of an engagement in which his interest and +inclinations were alike concerned. He reproved the Lady Abbess for +the carnal and secular views which she, a dignitary of the church, +entertained upon the subject of matrimony, and concerning the +interest of her house. He even upbraided her with selfishly +preferring the continuation of the line of Berenger to the +recovery of the Holy Sepulchre, and denounced to her that Heaven +would be avenged of the shortsighted and merely human policy, +which postponed the interests of Christendom to those of an +individual family. + +After this severe homily, the Prelate took his departure, leaving +the Abbess highly incensed, though she prudently forbore returning +any irreverent answer to his paternal admonition. + +In this humour the venerable lady was found by the Constable +himself, when with some embarrassment, he proceeded to explain to +her the necessity of his present departure for Palestine. + +She received the communication with sullen dignity; her ample +black robe and scapular seeming, as it were, to swell out in yet +prouder folds as she listened to the reasons and the emergencies +which compelled the Constable of Chester to defer the marriage +which he avowed was the dearest wish of his heart, until after his +return from the Crusade, for which he was about to set forth. + +"Methinks," replied the Abbess, with much coldness, "if this +communication is meant for earnest,--and it were no fit business-- +I myself no fit person,--for jesting with--methinks the +Constable's resolution should have been proclaimed to us yesterday +before the _fiancailles_ had united his troth with that of +Eveline Berenger, under expectations very different from those +which he now announces." + +"On the word of a knight and a gentleman, reverend lady," said the +Constable, "I had not then the slightest thought that I should be +called upon to take a step no less distressing to me, than, as I +see with pain, it is unpleasing to you." + +"I can scarcely conceive," replied the Abbess, "the cogent +reasons, which, existing as they must have done yesterday, have +nevertheless delayed their operation until to-day." + +"I own," said De Lacy, reluctantly, "that I entertained too ready +hopes of obtaining a remission from my vow, which my Lord of +Canterbury hath, in his zeal for Heaven's service, deemed it +necessary to refuse me." + +"At least, then," said the Abbess, veiling her resentment under +the appearance of extreme coldness, "your lordship will do us the +justice to place us in the same situation in which we stood +yesterday morning; and, by joining with my niece and her friends +in desiring the abrogation of a marriage contract, entered into +with very different views from those which you now entertain, put +a young person in that state of liberty of which she is at present +deprived by her contract with you." + +"Ah, madam!" said the Constable, "what do you ask of me? and in a +tone how cold and indifferent do you demand me to resign hopes, +the dearest which my bosom ever entertained since the life-blood +warmed it!" + +"I am unacquainted with language belonging to such feelings, my +lord," replied the Abbess; "but methinks the prospects which could +be so easily adjourned for years, might, by a little, and a very +little, farther self-control, be altogether abandoned." + +Hugo de Lacy paced the room in agitation, nor did he answer until +after a considerable pause. "If your niece, madam, shares the +sentiments which you have expressed, I could not, indeed, with +justice to her, or perhaps to myself, desire to retain that +interest in her, which our solemn espousals have given me. But I +must know my doom from her own lips; and if it is as severe as +that which your expressions lead me to fear, I will go to +Palestine the better soldier of Heaven, that I shall have little +left on earth that can interest me." + +The Abbess, without farther answer, called on her Praecentrix, and +desired her to command her niece's attendance immediately. The +Praecentrix bowed reverently, and withdrew. + +"May I presume to inquire," said De Lacy, "whether the Lady +Eveline hath been possessed of the circumstances which have +occasioned this unhappy alteration in my purpose?" + +"I have communicated the whole to her from point to point," said +the Abbess, "even as it was explained to me this morning by my +Lord of Canterbury, (for with him I have already spoken upon the +subject,) and confirmed but now by your lordship's own mouth." + +"I am little obliged to the Archbishop," said the Constable, "for +having forestalled my excuses in the quarter where it was most +important for me that they should be accurately stated, and +favourably received." + +"That," said the Abbess, "is but an item of the account betwixt +you and the Prelate,--it concerns not us." + +"Dare I venture to hope," continued De Lacy, without taking +offence at the dryness of the Abbess's manner, "that Lady Eveline +has heard this most unhappy change of circumstances without +emotion,--I would say, without displeasure?" + +"She is the daughter of a Berenger, my lord," answered the Abbess, +"and it is our custom to punish a breach of faith or to contemn +it--never to grieve over it. What my niece may do in this case, I +know not. I am a woman of religion, sequestered from the world, +and would advise peace and Christian forgiveness, with a proper +sense of contempt for the unworthy treatment which she has +received. She has followers and vassals, and friends, doubtless, +and advisers, who may not, in blinded zeal for worldly honour, +recommend to her to sit down slightly with this injury, but desire +she should rather appeal to the King, or to the arms of her +father's followers, unless her liberty is restored to her by the +surrender of the contract into which she has been enticed.--But +she comes, to answer for herself." + +Eveline entered at the moment, leaning on Rose's arm. She had laid +aside mourning since the ceremony of the _fiancailles_, and +was dressed in a kirtle of white, with an upper robe of pale blue. +Her head was covered with a veil of white gauze, so thin, as to +float about her like the misty cloud usually painted around the +countenance of a seraph. But the face of Eveline, though in beauty +not unworthy one of that angelic order, was at present far from +resembling that of a seraph in tranquillity of expression. Her +limbs trembled, her cheeks were pale, the tinge of red around the +eyelids expressed recent tears; yet amidst these natural signs of +distress and uncertainty, there was an air of profound +resignation--a resolution to discharge her duty in every emergence +reigning in the solemn expression of her eye and eyebrow, and +showing her prepared to govern the agitation which she could not +entirely subdue. And so well were these opposing qualities of +timidity and resolution mingled on her cheek, that Eveline, in the +utmost pride of her beauty, never looked more fascinating than at +that instant; and Hugo de Lacy, hitherto rather an unimpassioned +lover, stood in her presence with feelings as if all the +exaggerations of romance were realized, and his mistress were a +being of a higher sphere, from whose doom he was to receive +happiness or misery, life or death. + +It was under the influence of such a feeling, that the warrior +dropped on one knee before Eveline, took the hand which she rather +resigned than gave to him, pressed it to his lips fervently, and, +ere he parted with it, moistened it with one of the few tears +which he was ever known to shed. But, although surprised, and +carried out of his character by a sudden impulse, he regained his +composure on observing that the Abbess regarded his humiliation, +if it can be so termed, with an air of triumph; and he entered on +his defence before Eveline with a manly earnestness, not devoid of +fervour, nor free from agitation, yet made in a tone of firmness +and pride, which seemed assumed to meet and control that of the +offended Abbess. + +"Lady," he said, addressing Eveline, "you have heard from the +venerable Abbess in what unhappy position I have been placed since +yesterday by the rigour of the Archbishop--perhaps I should rather +say by his just though severe interpretation of my engagement in +the Crusade. I cannot doubt that all this has been stated with +accurate truth by the venerable lady; but as I must no longer call +her my friend, let me fear whether she has done me justice in her +commentary upon the unhappy necessity which must presently compel +me to leave my country, and with my country to forego--at best to +postpone--the fairest hopes which man ever entertained. The +venerable lady hath upbraided me, that being myself the cause that +the execution of yesterday's contract is postponed, I would fain +keep it suspended over your head for an indefinite term of years. +No one resigns willingly such rights as yesterday gave me; and, +let me speak a boastful word, sooner than yield them up to man of +woman born, I would hold a fair field against all comers, with +grinded sword and sharp spear, from sunrise to sunset, for three +days' space. But what I would retain at the price of a thousand +lives, I am willing to renounce if it would cost you a single +sigh. If, therefore, you think you cannot remain happy as the +betrothed of De Lacy, you may command my assistance to have the +contract annulled, and make some more fortunate man happy." + +He would have gone on, but felt the danger of being overpowered +again by those feelings of tenderness so new to his steady +nature, that he blushed to give way to them. + +Eveline remained silent. The Abbess took the word. "Kinswoman," +she said, "you hear that the generosity--or the justice--of the +Constable of Chester, proposes, in consequence of his departure +upon a distant and perilous expedition, to cancel a contract +entered into upon the specific and precise understanding that he +was to remain in England for its fulfilment. You cannot, methinks, +hesitate to accept of the freedom which he offers you, with thanks +for his bounty. For my part, I will reserve mine own, until I +shall see that your joint application is sufficient to win to your +purpose his Grace of Canterbury, who may again interfere with the +actions of his friend the Lord Constable, over whom he has already +exerted so much influence--for the weal, doubtless, of his +spiritual concerns." + +"If it is meant by your words, venerable lady," said the +Constable, "that I have any purpose of sheltering myself behind +the Prelate's authority, to avoid doing that which I proclaim my +readiness, though not my willingness, to do, I can only say, that +you are the first who has doubted the faith of Hugo de Lacy."--And +while the proud Baron thus addressed a female and a recluse, he +could not prevent his eye from sparkling, and his cheek from +flushing. + +"My gracious and venerable kinswoman," said Eveline, summoning +together her resolution, "and you, my kind lord, be not offended +if I pray you not to increase by groundless suspicions and hasty +resentments your difficulties and mine. My lord, the obligations +which I lie under to you are such as I can never discharge, since +they comprehend fortune, life, and honour. Know that, in my +anguish of mind, when besieged by the Welsh in my castle of the +Garde Doloureuse, I vowed to the Virgin, that (my honour safe) I +would place myself at the disposal of him whom our Lady should +employ as her instrument to relieve me from yonder hour of agony. +In giving me a deliverer, she gave me a master; nor could I desire +a more noble one than Hugo de Lacy." + +"God forbid, lady," said the Constable, speaking eagerly, as if he +was afraid his resolution should fail ere he could get the +renunciation uttered, "that I should, by such a tie, to which you +subjected yourself in the extremity of your distress, bind you to +any resolution in my favour which can put force on your own +inclinations!" + +The Abbess herself could not help expressing her applause of this +sentiment, declaring it was spoken like a Norman gentleman; but at +the same time, her eyes, turned towards her niece, seemed to +exhort her to beware how she declined to profit by the candour of +De Lacy. + +But Eveline proceeded, with her eyes fixed on the ground, and a +slight colour overspreading her face, to state her own sentiments, +without listening to the suggestions of any one. "I will own, +noble sir," she said, "that when your valour had rescued me from +approaching destruction, I could have wished--honouring and +respecting you, as I had done your late friend, my excellent +father--that you could have accepted a daughter's service from me. +I do not pretend entirely to have surmounted these sentiments, +although I have combated them, as being unworthy of me, and +ungrateful to you. But, from the moment you were pleased to honour +me by a claim on this poor hand, I have studiously examined my +sentiments towards you, and taught myself so far to make them +coincide with my duty, that I may call myself assured that De Lacy +would not find in Eveline Berenger an indifferent, far less an +unworthy bride. In this, sir, you may boldly confide, whether the +union you have sought for takes place instantly, or is delayed +till a longer season. Still farther, I must acknowledge that the +postponement of these nuptials will be more agreeable to me than +their immediate accomplishment. I am at present very young, and +totally inexperienced. Two or three years will, I trust, render me +yet more worthy the regard of a man of honour." + +At this declaration in his favour, however cold and qualified, De +Lacy had as much difficulty to restrain his transports as formerly +to moderate his agitation. + +"Angel of bounty and of kindness!" he said, kneeling once more, +and again possessing himself of her hand, "perhaps I ought in +honour to resign voluntarily those hopes which you decline to +ravish from me forcibly. But who could be capable of such +unrelenting magnanimity?--Let me hope that my devoted attachment-- +that which you shall hear of me when at a distance--that which you +shall know of me when near you--may give to your sentiments a more +tender warmth than they now express; and, in the meanwhile, blame +me not that I accept your plighted faith anew, under the +conditions which you attach to it. I am conscious my wooing has +been too late in life to expect the animated returns proper to +youthful passion--Blame me not if I remain satisfied with those +calmer sentiments which make life happy, though they cannot make +possession rapturous. Your hand remains In my grasp, but it +acknowledges not my pressure--Can it be that it refuses to ratify +what your lips have said?" + +"Never, noble De Lacy!" said Eveline, with more animation than she +had yet expressed; and it appeared that the tone was at length +sufficiently encouraging, since her lover was emboldened to take +the lips themselves for guarantee. + +It was with an air of pride, mingled with respect, that, after +having received this pledge of fidelity, he turned to conciliate +and to appease the offended Abbess. "I trust, venerable mother," +he said, "that you will resume your former kind thoughts of me, +which I am aware were only interrupted by your tender anxiety for +the interest of her who should be dearest to us both. Let me hope +that I may leave this fair flower under protection of the honoured +lady who is her nest in blood, happy and secure as she must ever +be, while listening to your counsels, and residing within these +sacred walls." + +But the Abbess was too deeply displeased to be propitiated by a +compliment, which perhaps it had been better policy to have +delayed till a calmer season. "My lord," she said, "and you, fair +kinswoman, you ought needs to be aware how little my counsels--not +frequently given where they are unwillingly listened to--can be of +avail to those embarked in worldly affairs. I am a woman dedicated +to religion, to solitude, and seclusion--to the service, in brief, +of Our Lady and Saint Benedict. I have been already censured by my +superior because I have, for love of you, fair niece, mixed more +deeply in secular affairs than became the head of a convent of +recluses--I will merit no farther blame on such an account; nor +can you expect it of me. My brother's daughter, unfettered by +worldly ties, had been the welcome sharer of my poor solicitude. +But this house is too mean for the residence of the vowed bride of +a mighty baron; nor do I, in my lowliness and inexperience, feel +fitness to exercise over such an one that authority, which must +belong to me over every one whom this roof protects. The grave +tenor of our devotions, and the serener contemplation to which the +females of this house are devoted," continued the Abbess, with +increasing heat and vehemence, "shall not, for the sake of my +worldly connections, be disturbed by the intrusion of one whose +thoughts must needs be on the worldly toys of love and marriage." + +"I do indeed believe, reverend mother," said the Constable, in his +turn giving way to displeasure, "that a richly-dowered maiden, +unwedded, and unlikely to wed, were a fitter and more welcome +inmate to the convent, than one who cannot be separated from the +world, and whose wealth is not likely to increase the House's +revenues." + +The Constable did the Abbess great injury in this hasty +insinuation, and it only went to confirm her purpose of rejecting +all charge of her niece during his absence. She was in truth as +disinterested as haughty; and her only reason for anger against +her niece was, that her advice had not been adopted without +hesitation, although the matter regarded Eveline's happiness +exclusively. + +The ill-timed reflection of the Constable confirmed her in the +resolution which she had already, and hastily adopted. "May Heaven +forgive you, Sir Knight," she replied, "your injurious thoughts of +His servants! It is indeed time, for your soul's sake, that you do +penance in the Holy Land, having such rash judgments to repent +of.--For you, my niece, you cannot want that hospitality, which, +without verifying, or seeming to verify, unjust suspicions, I +cannot now grant to you, while you have, in your kinswoman of +Baldringham, a secular relation, whose nearness of blood +approaches mine, and who may open her gates to you without +incurring the unworthy censure, that she means to enrich herself +at your cost." + +The Constable saw the deadly paleness which, came over Eveline's +cheek at this proposal, and, without knowing the cause of her +repugnance, he hastened to relieve her from the apprehensions +which she seemed evidently to entertain. "No, reverend mother," he +said, "since _you_ so harshly reject the care of your +kinswoman, she shall not be a burden to any of her other +relatives. While Hugo de Lacy hath six gallant castles, and many a +manor besides, to maintain fire upon their hearths, his betrothed +bride shall burden no one with her society, who may regard it as +otherwise than a great honour; and methinks I were much poorer +than Heaven hath made me, could I not furnish friends and +followers sufficient to serve, obey, and protect her." + +"No, my lord," said Eveline, recovering from the dejection into +which she had been thrown by the unkindness of her relative; +"since some unhappy destiny separates me from the protection of my +father's sister, to whom I could so securely have resigned myself, +I will neither apply for shelter to any more distant relation, nor +accept of that which you, my lord, so generously offer; since my +doing so might excite harsh, and, I am sure, undeserved +reproaches, against her by whom I was driven to choose a less +advisable dwelling-place. I have made my resolution. I have, it is +true, only one friend left, but she is a powerful one, and is able +to protect me against the particular evil fate which seems to +follow me, as well as against the ordinary evils of human life." + +"The Queen, I suppose?" said the Abbess, interrupting her +impatiently. + +"The Queen of Heaven! venerable kinswoman," answered Eveline; "our +Lady of the Garde Doloureuse, ever gracious to our house, and so +lately my especial guardian and protectress. Methinks, since the +vowed votaress of the Virgin rejects me, it is to her holy +patroness whom I ought to apply for succour." + +The venerable dame, taken somewhat at unawares by this answer, +pronounced the interjection "Umph!" in a tone better befitting a +Lollard or an Iconoclast, than a Catholic Abbess, and a daughter +of the House of Berenger. Truth is, the Lady Abbess's hereditary +devotion to the Lady of the Garde Doloureuse was much decayed +since she had known the full merits of another gifted image, the +property of her own convent. + +Recollecting herself, however, she remained silent, while the +Constable alleged the vicinity of the Welsh, as what might +possibly again render the abode of his betrothed bride at the +Garde Doloureuse as perilous as she had on a former occasion found +it. To this Eveline replied, by reminding him of the great +strength of her native fortress--the various sieges which it had +withstood--and the important circumstance, that, upon the late +occasion, it was only endangered, because, in compliance with a +point of honour, her father Raymond had sallied out with the +garrison, and fought at disadvantage a battle under the walls. She +farther suggested, that it was easy for the Constable to name, +from among his own vassals or hers, a seneschal of such approved +prudence and valour, as might ensure the safety of the place, and +of its lady. + +Ere De Lacy could reply to her arguments the Abbess rose, and, +pleading her total inability to give counsel in secular affairs, +and the rules of her order, which called her, as she said, with a +heightened colour and raised voice, "to the simple and peaceful +discharge of her conventual duties," she left the betrothed +parties in the locutory, or parlour, without any company, save +Rose, who prudently remained at some distance. + +The issue of their private conference seemed agreeable to both; +and when Eveline told Rose that they were to return presently to +the Garde Doloureuse, under a sufficient escort, and were to +remain there during the period of the Crusade, it was in a tone of +heartfelt satisfaction, which her follower had not heard her make +use of for many days. She spoke also highly in praise of the kind +acquiescence of the Constable in her wishes, and of his whole +conduct, with a warmth of gratitude approaching to a more tender +feeling. + +"And yet, my dearest lady," said Rose, "if you will speak +unfeignedly, you must, I am convinced, allow that you look upon +this interval of years, interposed betwixt your contract and your +marriage, rather as a respite than in any other light." + +"I confess it," said Eveline, "nor have I concealed from, my +future lord that such are my feelings, ungracious as they may +seem. But it is my youth, Rose, my extreme youth, which makes me +fear the duties of De Lacy's wife. Then those evil auguries hang +strangely about me. Devoted to evil by one kinswoman, expelled +almost from the roof of another, I seem to myself, at present, a +creature who must carry distress with her, pass where she will. +This evil hour, and, what is more, the apprehensions of it, will +give way to time. When I shall have attained the age of twenty, +Rose, I shall be a full-grown woman, with all the soul of a +Berenger strong within me, to overcome those doubts and tremors +which agitate the girl of seventeen." + +"Ah! my sweet mistress," answered Rose, "may God and our Lady of +the Garde Doloureuse guide all for the best!--But I would that this +contract had not taken place, or, having taken place, that it +could have been fulfilled by your immediate union." + + + + +CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH + + + The Kiugr call'd down his merry men all, + By one, and by two, and three; + Earl Marshal was wont to be the foremost man, + But the hindmost man was he. + OLD BALLAD. + + +If the Lady Eveline retired satisfied and pleased from her private +interview with De Lacy, the joy on the part of the Constable rose +to a higher pitch of rapture than he was in the habit of feeling +or expressing; and it was augmented by a visit of the leeches who +attended his nephew, from whom he received a minute and particular +account of his present disorder, with every assurance of a speedy +recovery. + +The Constable caused alms to be distributed to the convents and to +the poor, masses to be said, and tapers to be lighted. He visited +the Archbishop, and received from him his full approbation of the +course which he proposed to pursue, with the promise, that out of +the plenary power which he held from the Pope, the Prelate was +willing, in consideration of his instant obedience, to limit his +stay in the Holy Land to the term of three years, to become +current from his leaving Britain, and to include the space +necessary for his return to his native country. Indeed, having +succeeded in the main point, the Archbishop judged it wise to +concede every inferior consideration to a person of the +Constable's rank and character, whose good-will to the proposed +expedition was perhaps as essential to its success as his bodily +presence. + +In short, the Constable returned to his pavilion highly satisfied +with the manner in which he had extricated himself from those +difficulties which in the morning seemed almost insuperable; and +when his officers assembled to disrobe him, (for great feudal +lords had their levees and couchees, in imitation of sovereign +princes,) he distributed gratuities amongst them, and jested and +laughed in a much gayer humour than they had ever before +witnessed. + +"For thee," he said, turning to Vidal the minstrel, who, +sumptuously dressed, stood to pay his respects among the other +attendants, "I will give thee nought at present; but do thou +remain by my bedside until I am asleep, and I will next morning +reward thy minstrelsy as I like it." + +"My lord," said Vidal, "I am already rewarded, both by the honour, +and by the liveries, which better befit a royal minstrel than one +of my mean fame; but assign me a subject, and I will do my best, +not out of greed of future largess, but gratitude for past +favours." + +"Gramercy, good fellow," said the Constable. "Guarine," he added, +addressing his squire, "let the watch be posted, and do thou +remain within the tent--stretch thyself on the bear-hide, and +sleep, or listen to the minstrelsy, as thou likest best. Thou +thinkest thyself a judge, I have heard, of such gear." + +It was usual, in those insecure times, for some faithful domestic +to sleep at night within the tent of every great baron, that, if +danger arose, he might not be unsupported or unprotected. Guarine +accordingly drew his sword, and, taking it in his hand, stretched +himself on the ground in such a manner, that, on the slightest +alarm, he could spring up, sword in hand. His broad black eyes, in +which sleep contended with a desire to listen to the music, were +fixed on Vidal, who saw them glittering in the reflection of the +silver lamp, like those of a dragon or a basilisk. + +After a few preliminary touches on the chords of his rote, the +minstrel requested of the Constable to name the subject on which +he desired the exercise of his powers. + +"The truth of woman," answered Hugo de Lacy, as he laid his head +upon his pillow. + +After a short prelude, the minstrel obeyed, by singing nearly as +follows:-- + + "Woman's faith, and woman's trust-- + Write the characters in dust; + Stamp them on the running stream, + Print them on the moon's pale best, + And each evanescent letter, + Shall be clearer, firmer, better, + And more permanent, I ween, + Than the thing those letters mean. + + I have strain'd the spider's thread + 'Gainst the promise of a maid; + I have weigh'd a grain of sand + 'Gainst her plight of heart and hand; + I told my true love of the token, + How her faith proved light, and her word was broken + Again her word and truth she plight, + And I believed them again ere night." + +"How now, sir knave," said the Constable, raising himself on his +elbow, from what drunken rhymer did you learn that half-witted +satire?" + +"From an old, ragged, crossgrained friend of mine, called +Experience," answered Vidal. "I pray Heaven, he may never take +your lordship, or any other worthy man, under his tuition." + +"Go to, fellow," said the Constable, in reply; "thou art one of +those wiseacres, I warrant me, that would fain be thought witty, +because thou canst make a jest of those things which wiser men +hold worthy of most worship-the honour of men, and the truth of +women. Dost thou call thyself a minstrel, and hast no tale of +female fidelity?" + +"I had right many a one, noble sir, but I laid them aside when I +disused my practice of the jesting part of the Joyous Science. +Nevertheless, if it pleases your nobleness to listen, I can sing +you an established lay upon such a subject." + +De Lacy made a sign of acquiescence, and laid himself as if to +slumber; while Vidal began one of those interminable and almost +innumerable adventures concerning that paragon of true lovers, +fair Ysolte; and of the constant and uninterrupted faith and +affection which she displayed in numerous situations of difficulty +and peril, to her paramour, the gallant Sir Tristrem, at the +expense of her less favoured husband, the luckless King Mark of +Cornwall; to whom, as all the world knows, Sir Tristrem was +nephew. + +This was not the lay of love and fidelity which De Lacy would have +chosen; but a feeling like shame prevented his interrupting it, +perhaps because he was unwilling to yield to or acknowledge the +unpleasing sensations excited by the tenor of the tale. He soon +fell asleep, or feigned to do so; and the harper, continuing for a +time his monotonous chant, began at length himself to feel the +influence of slumber; his words, and the notes which he continued +to touch upon the harp, were broken and interrupted, and seemed to +escape drowsily from his fingers and voice. At length the sounds +ceased entirely, and the minstrel seemed to have sunk into +profound repose, with his head reclining on his breast, and one +arm dropped down by his side, while the other rested on his harp. +His slumber, however, was not very long, and when he awoke from +it, and cast his eyes around him, reconnoitering, by the light of +the night-lamp, whatever was in the tent, he felt a heavy hand, +which pressed his shoulder as if gently to solicit his attention. +At the same time the voice of the vigilant Philip Guarine +whispered in his ear, "Thine office for the night is ended--depart +to thine own quarters with all the silence thou mayst." + +The minstrel wrapt himself in his cloak without reply, though +perhaps not without feeling some resentment at a dismissal so +unceremonious. + + + + +CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST. + + + Oh! then I see Queen Mab has been with you. + ROMEO AND JULIET. + + +The subject on which the mind has last been engaged at night is +apt to occupy our thoughts even during slumber, when Imagination, +uncorrected by the organs of sense, weaves her own fantastic web +out of whatever ideas rise at random in the sleeper. It is not +surprising, therefore, that De Lacy in his dreams had some +confused idea of being identified with the unlucky Mark of +Cornwall; and that he awakened from such unpleasant visions with a +brow more clouded than when he was preparing for his couch on the +evening before. He was silent, and seemed lost in thought, while +his squire assisted at his levee with the respect now only paid to +sovereigns. "Guarine," at length he said, "know you the stout +Fleming, who was said to have borne him so well at the siege of +the Garde Doloureuse?--a tall, big, brawny man." + +"Surely, my lord," answered his squire; "I know Wilkin Flammock--I +saw him but yesterday." + +"Indeed!" replied the Constable--"Here, meanest thou?--In this +city of Gloucester?" + +"Assuredly, my good lord. He came hither partly about his +merchandise, partly, I think, to see his daughter Rose, who is in +attendance on the gracious young Lady Eveline." + +"He is a stout soldier, is he not?" + +"Like most of his kind--a rampart to a castle, but rubbish in the +field," said the Norman squire. + +"Faithful, also, is he not?" continued the Constable. + +"Faithful as most Flemings, while you can pay for their faith," +replied Guarine, wondering a little at the unusual interest taken +in one whom he esteemed a being of an inferior order; when, after +some farther inquiries, the Constable ordered the Fleming's +attendance to be presently commanded. + +Other business of the morning now occurred, (for his speedy +departure required many arrangements to be hastily adopted,) when, +as the Constable was giving audience to several officers of his +troops, the bulky figure of Wilkin Flammock was seen at the +entrance of the pavilion, in jerkin of white cloth, and having +only a knife by his side. + +"Leave the tent, my masters," said De Lacy, "but continue in +attendance in the neighbourhood; for here comes one I must speak +to in private." The officers withdrew, and the Constable and +Fleming were left alone. "You are Wilkin Mammock, who fought well +against the Welsh at the Garde Doloureuse?" + +"I did my best, my lord," answered Wilkin--"I was bound to it by my +bargain; and I hope ever to act like a man of credit." + +"Methinks" said the Constable, "that you, so stout of limb, and, +as I hear, so bold in spirit, might look a little higher than this +weaving trade of thine." + +"No one is reluctant to mend his station, my lord," said Wilkin; +"yet I am so far from complaining of mine, that I would willingly +consent it should never be better, on condition I could be assured +it were never worse." + +"Nay, but, Flammock," said the Constable, "I mean higher things +for you than your modesty apprehends--I mean to leave thee in a +charge of great trust." + +"Let it concern bales of drapery, my lord, and no one will perform +it better," said the Fleming. + +"Away! thou art too lowly minded," said the Constable. "What +think'st thou of being dubbed knight, as thy valour well deserves, +and left as Chattelain of the Garde Doloureuse?" + +"For the knighthood, my lord, I should crave your forgiveness; for +it would sit on me like a gilded helmet on a hog. For any charge, +whether of castle or cottage, I trust I might discharge it as well +as another." + +"I fear me thy rank must be in some way mended," said the +Constable, surveying the unmilitary dress of the figure before +him; "it is at present too mean to befit the protector and +guardian of a young lady of high birth and rank." + +"I the guardian of a young lady of birth and rank!" said Flammock, +his light large eyes turning larger, lighter, and rounder as he +spoke. + +"Even thou," said the Constable. "The Lady Eveline proposes to +take up her residence in her castle of the Garde Doloureuse. I +have been casting about to whom I may intrust the keeping of her +person as well as of the stronghold. Were I to choose some knight +of name, as I have many in my household, he would be setting about +to do deeds of vassalage upon the Welsh, and engaging himself in +turmoils, which would render the safety of the castle precarious; +or he would be absent on feats of chivalry, tournaments, and +hunting parties; or he would, perchance, have shows of that light +nature under the walls, or even within the courts of the castle, +turning the secluded and quiet abode, which becomes the situation +of the Lady Eveline, into the misrule of a dissolute revel.--Thee +I can confide in--thou wilt fight when it is requisite, yet wilt +not provoke danger for the sake of danger itself--thy birth, thy +habits, will lead thee to avoid those gaieties, which, however +fascinating to others, cannot but be distasteful to thee--thy +management will be as regular, as I will take care that it shall +be honourable; and thy relation to her favourite, Rose, will +render thy guardianship more agreeable to the Lady Eveline, than, +perchance, one of her own rank--And, to speak to thee a language +which, thy nation readily comprehends, the reward, Fleming, for +the regular discharge of this most weighty trust, shall be beyond +thy most flattering hope." + +The Fleming had listened to the first part of this discourse with +an expression of surprise, which gradually gave way to one of deep +and anxious reflection. He gazed fixedly on the earth for a minute +after the Constable had ceased speaking, and then raising up his +eyes suddenly, said, "It is needless to seek for round-about +excuses. This cannot be your earnest, my lord--but if it is, the +scheme is naught." + +"How and wherefore?" asked the Constable, with displeased +surprise. + +"Another man may grasp at your bounty," continued Wilkin, "and +leave you to take chance of the value you were to receive for it; +but I am a downright dealer, I will not take payment for service I +cannot render." + +"But I demand, once more, wherefore thou canst not, or rather wilt +not, accept this trust?" said the Constable. "Surely, if I am +willing to confer such confidence, it is well thy part to answer +it." + +"True, my lord," said the Fleming; "but methinks the noble Lord de +Lacy should feel, and the wise Lord de Lacy should foresee, that a +Flemish weaver is no fitting guardian for his plighted bride. +Think her shut up in yonder solitary castle, under such +respectable protection, and reflect how long the place will be +solitary in this land of love and of adventure! We shall have +minstrels singing ballads by the threave under our windows, and +such twangling of harps as would be enough to frighten our walls +from their foundations, as clerks say happened to those of +Jericho--We shall have as many knights-errant around us as ever +had Charlemagne, or King Arthur. Mercy on me! A less matter than a +fine and noble recluse immured--so will they term it--in a tower, +under the guardianship of an old Flemish weaver, would bring half +the chivalry in England round us, to break lances, vow vows, +display love-liveries, and I know not what follies besides.--Think +you such gallants, with the blood flying through their veins like +quicksilver, would much mind _my_ bidding them begone?" + +"Draw bolts, up with the drawbridge, drop portcullis," said the +Constable, with a constrained smile. + +"And thinks your lordship such gallants would mind these +impediments? such are the very essence of the adventures which +they come to seek.--The Knight of the Swan would swim through the +moat--he of the Eagle would fly over the wails--he of the +Thunderbolt would burst open the gates." + +"Ply crossbow and mangonel," said de Lacy. + +"And be besieged in form," said the Fleming, "like the Castle of +Tintadgel in the old hangings, all for the love of fair lady?--And +then those gay dames and demoiselles, who go upon adventure from +castle to castle, from tournament to tournament, with bare bosoms, +flaunting plumes, poniards at their sides, and javelins in their +hands, chattering like magpies, and fluttering like jays, and, +ever and anon, cooing like doves--how am I to exclude such from +the Lady Eveline's privacy?" + +"By keeping doors shut, I tell thee," answered the Constable, +still in the same tone of forced jocularity; "a wooden bar will be +thy warrant." + +"Ay, but," answered Flammock, "if the Flemish weaver say +_shut_, when the Norman young lady says _open_, think +which has best chance of being obeyed. At a word, my lord, for the +matter of guardianship, and such like, I wash my hands of it--I +would not undertake to be guardian to the chaste Susannah, though +she lived in an enchanted castle, which no living thing could +approach." + +"Thou holdest the language and thoughts," said De Lacy, "of a +vulgar debauchee, who laughs at female constancy, because he has +lived only with the most worthless of the sex. Yet thou shouldst +know the contrary, having, as I know, a most virtuous daughter--" + +"Whose mother was not less so," said Wilkin, breaking in upon the +Constable's speech with somewhat more emotion than he usually +displayed, "But law, my lord, gave me authority to govern and +direct my wife, as both law and nature give me power and charge +over my daughter. That which I can govern, I can be answerable +for; but how to discharge me so well of a delegated trust, is +another question.--Stay at home, my good lord," continued the +honest Fleming, observing that his speech made some impression +upon De Lacy; "let a fool's advice for once be of avail to change +a wise man's purpose, taken, let me say, in no wise hour. Remain +in your own land, rule your own vassals, and protect your own +bride. You only can claim her cheerful love and ready obedience; +and sure I am, that, without pretending to guess what she may do +if separated from you, she will, under your own eye, do the duty +of a faithful and a loving spouse." + +"And the Holy Sepulchre?" said the Constable, with a sigh, his +heart confessing the wisdom of the advice, which circumstances +prevented him from following. + +"Let those who lost the Holy Sepulchre regain it, my lord," +replied Flammock. "If those Latins and Greeks, as they call them, +are no better men than I have heard, it signifies very little +whether they or the heathen have the country that has cost Europe +so much blood and treasure." "In good faith," said the Constable, +"there is sense in what thou say'st; but I caution thee to repeat +it not, lest thou be taken for a heretic or a Jew. For me, my word +and oath are pledged beyond retreat, and I have only to consider +whom I may best name for that important station, which thy caution +has--not without some shadow of reason--induced thee to decline." + +"There is no man to whom your lordship can so naturally or +honourably transfer such a charge," said Wilkin Flammock, "as to +the kinsman near to you, and possessed of your trust; yet much +better would it be were there no such trust to be reposed in any +one." + +"If," said the Constable, "by my near kinsman, you mean Randal de +Lacy, I care not if I tell you, that I consider him as totally +worthless, and undeserving of honourable confidence." + +"Nay, I mean another," said Flammock, "nearer to you by blood, +and, unless I greatly mistake, much nigher also in affection--I +had in mind your lordship's nephew, Damian de Lacy." + +The Constable started as if a wasp had stung him; but instantly +replied, with forced composure, "Damian was to have gone in my +stead to Palestine--it now seems I must go in his; for, since this +last illness, the leeches have totally changed their minds, and +consider that warmth of the climate as dangerous, which they +formerly decided to be salutary. But our learned doctors, like our +learned priests, must ever be in the right, change their counsels +as they may; and we poor laymen still in the wrong. I can, it is +true, rely on Damian with the utmost confidence; but he is young, +Flammock--very young--and in that particular, resembles but too +nearly the party who might be otherwise committed to his charge." + +"Then once more, my lord," said the plain-spoken Fleming, "remain +at home, and be yourself the protector of what is naturally so +dear to you." + +"Once more, I repeat, that I cannot," answered the Constable. "The +step which I have adopted as a great duty, may perhaps be a great +error--I only know that it is irretrievable." + +"Trust your nephew, then, my lord," replied Wilkin--"he is honest +and true; and it is better trusting young lions than old wolves. +He may err, perhaps, but it will not be from premeditated +treachery." + +"Thou art right, Flammock," said the Constable; "and perhaps I +ought to wish I had sooner asked thy counsel, blunt as it is. But +let what has passed be a secret betwixt us; and bethink thee of +something that may advantage thee more than the privilege of +speaking about my affairs." + +"That account will be easily settled, my lord," replied Flammock; +"for my object was to ask your lordship's favour to obtain certain +extensions of our privileges, in yonder wild corner where we +Flemings have made our retreat." + +"Thou shalt have them, so they be not exorbitant," said the +Constable. And the honest Fleming, among whose good qualities +scrupulous delicacy was not the foremost, hastened to detail, with +great minuteness, the particulars of his request or petition, long +pursued in vain, but to which this interview was the means of +insuring success. + +The Constable, eager to execute the resolution which he had +formed, hastened to the lodging of Damian de Lacy, and to the no +small astonishment of his nephew, intimated to him his change of +destination; alleging his own hurried departure, Damian's late and +present illness, together with the necessary protection to be +afforded to the Lady Eveline, as reasons why his nephew must needs +remain behind him--to represent him during his absence--to protect +the family rights, and assert the family honour of the house of De +Lacy--above all, to act as the guardian of the young and beautiful +bride, whom his uncle and patron had been in some measure +compelled to abandon for a time. + +Damian yet occupied his bed while the Constable communicated this +change of purpose. Perhaps he might think the circumstance +fortunate, that in this position he could conceal from his uncle's +observation the various emotions which he could not help feeling; +while the Constable, with the eagerness of one who is desirous of +hastily finishing what he has to say on an unpleasant subject, +hurried over an account of the arrangements which he had made, in +order that his nephew might have the means of discharging, with +sufficient effect, the important trust committed to him. + +The youth listened as to a voice in a dream, which he had not the +power of interrupting, though there was something within him which +whispered there would be both prudence and integrity in +remonstrating against his uncle's alteration of plan. Something he +accordingly attempted to say, when the Constable at length paused; +but it was too feebly spoken to shake a resolution fully though +hastily adopted and explicitly announced, by one not in the use to +speak before his purpose was fixed, or to alter it when it was +declared. + +The remonstrance of Damian, besides, if it could be termed such, +was spoken in terms too contradictory to be intelligible. In one +moment he professed his regret for the laurels which he had hoped +to gather in Palestine, and implored his uncle not to alter his +purpose, but permit him to attend his banner thither; and in the +next sentence, he professed his readiness to defend the safety of +Lady Eveline with the last drop of his blood. De Lacy saw nothing +inconsistent in these feelings, though they were for the moment +contradictory to each other. It was natural, he thought, that a +young knight should be desirous to win honour--natural also that +he should willingly assume a charge so honourable and important as +that with which he proposed to invest him; and therefore he +thought that it was no wonder that, assuming his new office +willingly, the young man should yet feel regret at losing the +prospect of honourable adventure, which he must abandon. He +therefore only smiled in reply to the broken expostulations of his +nephew; and, having confirmed his former arrangement, left the +young man to reflect at leisure on his change of destination, +while he himself, in a second visit to the Benedictine Abbey, +communicated the purpose which he had adopted, to the Abbess, and +to his bride-elect. + +The displeasure of the former lady was in no measure abated by +this communication; in which, indeed, she affected to take very +little interest. She pleaded her religious duties, and her want of +knowledge of secular affairs, if she should chance to mistake the +usages of the world; yet she had always, she said, understood, +that the guardians of the young and beautiful of her own sex were +chosen from the more mature of the other. + +"Your own unkindness, lady," answered the Constable, "leaves me no +better choice than I have made. Since the Lady Eveline's nearest +friends deny her the privilege of their roof, on account of the +claim with which she has honoured me, I, on my side, were worse +than ungrateful did I not secure for her the protection of my +nearest male heir. Damian is young, but he is true and honourable; +nor does the chivalry of England afford me a better choice." + +Eveline seemed surprised, and even struck with consternation, at +the resolution which her bridegroom thus suddenly announced; and +perhaps it was fortunate that the remark of the Lady Abbess made +the answer of the Constable necessary, and prevented him from +observing that her colour shifted more than once from pale to deep +red. Rose, who was not excluded from the conference, drew close up +to her mistress; and, by affecting to adjust her veil, while in +secret she strongly pressed her hand, gave her time and +encouragement to compose her mind for a reply. It was brief and +decisive, and announced with a firmness which showed that the +uncertainty of the moment had passed away or been suppressed. "In +case of danger," she said, "she would not fail to apply to Damian +de Lacy to come to her aid, as he had once done before; but she +did not apprehend any danger at present, within her own secure +castle of the Garde Doloureuse, where it was her purpose to dwell, +attended only by her own household. She was resolved," she +continued, "in consideration of her peculiar condition, to observe +the strictest retirement, which she expected would not be violated +even by the noble young knight who was to act as her guardian, +unless some apprehension for her safety made his visit +unavoidable." + +The Abbess acquiesced, though coldly, in a proposal, which her +ideas of decorum recommended; and preparations were hastily made +for the Lady Eveline's return to the castle of her father. Two +interviews which intervened before her leaving the convent, were +in their nature painful. The first was when Damian was formally +presented to her by his uncle, as the delegate to whom he had +committed the charge of his own property, and, which was much +dearer to him, as he affirmed, the protection of her person and +interest. + +Eveline scarce trusted herself with one glance; but that single +look comprehended and reported to her the ravage which disease, +aided by secret grief, had made on the manly form and handsome +countenance of the youth before her. She received his salutation +in a manner as embarrassed as that in which it was made; and, to +his hesitating proffer of service, answered, that she trusted only +to be obliged to him for his good-will during the interval of his +uncle's absence. + +Her parting with the Constable was the next trial which she was to +undergo. It was not without emotion, although she preserved her +modest composure, and De Lacy his calm gravity of deportment. His +voice faltered, however, when he came to announce, "that it were +unjust she should be bound by the engagement which she had been +graciously contented to abide under. Three years he had assigned +for its term; to which space the Arch-bishop Baldwin had consented +to shorten the period of his absence. If I appear not when these +are elapsed," he said, "let the Lady Eveline conclude that the +grave holds De Lacy, and seek out for her mate some happier man. +She cannot find one more grateful, though there are many who +better deserve her." + +On these terms they parted; and the Constable, speedily afterwards +embarking, ploughed the narrow seas for the shores of Flanders, +where he proposed to unite his forces with the Count of that rich +and warlike country, who had lately taken the Cross, and to +proceed by the route which should be found most practicable on +their destination for the Holy Land. The broad pennon, with the +arms of the Lacys, streamed forward with a favourable wind from +the prow of the vessel, as if pointing to the quarter of the +horizon where its renown was to be augmented; and, considering the +fame of the leader, and the excellence of the soldiers who +followed him, a more gallant band, in proportion to their numbers, +never went to avenge on the Saracens the evils endured by the +Latins of Palestine. + +Meanwhile Eveline, after a cold parting with the Abbess, whose +offended dignity had not yet forgiven the slight regard which she +had paid to her opinion, resumed her journey homeward to her +paternal castle, where her household was to be arranged in a +manner suggested by the Constable, and approved of by herself. + +The same preparations were made for her accommodation at every +halting place which she had experienced upon her journey to +Gloucester, and, as before, the purveyor was invisible, although +she could be at little loss to guess his name. Yet it appeared as +if the character of these preparations was in some degree altered. +All the realities of convenience and accommodation, with the most +perfect assurances of safety, accompanied her every where on the +route; but they were no longer mingled with that display of tender +gallantry and taste, which marked that the attentions were paid to +a young and beautiful female. The clearest fountain-head, and the +most shady grove, were no longer selected for the noontide repast; +but the house of some franklin, or a small abbey, afforded the +necessary hospitality. All seemed to be ordered with the most +severe attention to rank and decorum--it seemed as if a nun of +some strict order, rather than a young maiden of high quality and +a rich inheritance, had been journeying through the land, and +Eveline, though pleased with the delicacy which seemed thus to +respect her unprotected and peculiar condition, would sometimes +think it unnecessary, that, by so many indirect hints, it should +be forced on her recollection. + +She thought it strange also, that Damian, to whose care she had +been so solemnly committed, did not even pay his respects to her +on the road. Something there was which whispered to her, that +close and frequent intercourse might be unbecoming--even +dangerous; but surely the ordinary duties of a knight and +gentleman enjoined him some personal communication with the maiden +under his escort, were it only to ask if her accommodations had +been made to her satisfaction, or if she had any special wish +which was ungratified. The only intercourse, however, which took +place betwixt them, was through means of Amelot, Damian de Lacy's +youthful page, who came at morning and evening to receive +Eveline's commands concerning their route, and the hours of +journey and repose. + +These formalities rendered the solitude of Eveline's return less +endurable; and had it not been for the society of Rose, she would +have found herself under an intolerably irksome degree of +constraint. She even hazarded to her attendant some remarks upon +the singularity of De Lacy's conduct, who, authorized as he was by +his situation, seemed yet as much afraid to approach her as if she +had been a basilisk. + +Rose let the first observation of this nature pass as if it had +been unheard; but when her mistress made a second remark to the +same purpose, she answered, with the truth and freedom of her +character, though perhaps with less of her usual prudence, "Damian +de Lacy judges well, noble lady. He to whom the safe keeping of a +royal treasure is intrusted, should not indulge himself too often +by gazing upon it." + +Eveline blushed, wrapt herself closer in her veil, nor did she +again during their journey mention the name of Damian de Lacy. + +When the gray turrets of the Garde Doloureuse greeted her sight on +the evening of the second day, and she once more beheld her +father's banner floating from its highest watch-tower in honour of +her approach, her sensations were mingled with pain; but, upon the +whole, she looked towards that ancient home as a place of refuge, +where she might indulge the new train of thoughts which +circumstances had opened to her, amid the same scenes which had +sheltered her infancy and childhood. + +She pressed forward her palfrey, to reach the ancient portal as +soon as possible, bowed hastily to the well-known faces which +showed themselves on all sides, but spoke to no one, until, +dismounting at the chapel door, she had penetrated to the crypt, +in which was preserved the miraculous painting. There, prostrate +on the ground, she implored the guidance and protection of the +Holy Virgin through those intricacies in which she had involved +herself, by the fulfilment of the vow which she had made in her +anguish before the same shrine. If the prayer was misdirected, its +purport was virtuous and sincere; nor are we disposed to doubt +that it attained that Heaven towards which it was devoutly +addressed. + + + + +CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SECOND + + + The Virgin's image falls--yet some, I ween, + Not unforgiven the suppliant knee might bend, + As to a visible power, in which might blend + All that was mix'd, and reconciled in her, + Of mother's love, with maiden's purity, + Of high with low, celestial with terrene. + WORDSWORTH. + + +The household of the Lady Eveline, though of an establishment +becoming her present and future rank, was of a solemn and +sequestered character, corresponding to her place of residence, +and the privacy connected with her situation, retired as she was +from the class of maidens who are yet unengaged, and yet not +united with that of matrons, who enjoy the protection of a married +name. Her immediate female attendants, with whom the reader is +already acquainted, constituted almost her whole society. The +garrison of the castle, besides household servants, consisted of +veterans of tried faith, the followers of Berenger and of De Lacy +in many a bloody field, to whom the duties of watching and warding +were as familiar as any of their more ordinary occupations, and +whose courage, nevertheless, tempered by age and experience, was +not likely to engage in any rash adventure or accidental quarrel. +These men maintained a constant and watchful guard, commanded by +the steward, but under the eye of Father Aldrovand, who, besides +discharging his ecclesiastical functions, was at times pleased to +show some sparkles of his ancient military education. + +Whilst this garrison afforded security against any sudden attempt +on the part of the Welsh to surprise the castle, a strong body of +forces were disposed within a few miles of the Garde Doloureuse, +ready, on the least alarm, to advance to defend the place against +any more numerous body of invaders, who, undeterred by the fate of +Gwenwyn, might have the hardihood to form a regular siege. To +this band, which, under the eye of Damian de Lacy himself, was +kept in constant readiness for action, could be added on occasion +all the military force of the Marches, comprising numerous bodies +of Flemings, and other foreigners, who held their establishments +by military tenure. + +While the fortress was thus secure from hostile violence, the life +of its inmates was so unvaried and simple, as might have excused +youth and beauty for wishing for variety, even at the expense of +some danger. The labours of the needle were only relieved by a +walk round the battlements, where Eveline, as she passed arm in +arm with Rose, received a military salute from each sentinel in +turn, or in the court-yard, where the caps and bonnets of the +domestics paid her the same respect which she received above from +the pikes and javelins of the warders. Did they wish to extend +their airing beyond the castle gate, it was not sufficient that +doors and bridges were to be opened and lowered; there was, +besides, an escort to get under arms, who, on foot or horseback as +the case might require, attended for the security of the Lady +Eveline's person. Without this military attendance they could not +in safety move even so far as the mills, where honest Wilkln +Flammock, his warlike deeds forgotten, was occupied with his +mechanical labours. But if a farther disport was intended, and the +Lady of the Garde Doloureuse proposed to hunt or hawk for a few +hours, her safety was not confided to a guard so feeble as the +garrison of the castle might afford. It was necessary that Raoul +should announce her purpose to Damian by a special messenger +despatched the evening before, that there might be time before +daybreak to scour, with a body of light cavalry, the region in +which she intended to take her pleasure; and sentinels were placed +in all suspicious places while she continued in the field. In +truth, she tried, upon one or two occasions, to make an excursion, +without any formal annunciation of her intention; but all her +purposes seemed to be known to Damian as soon as they were formed, +and she was no sooner abroad than parties of archers and spearmen +from his camp were seen scouring the valleys, and guarding the +mountain-pass, and Damian's own, plume was usually beheld +conspicuous among the distant soldiers. + +The formality of these preparations so much allayed the pleasure +derived from the sport, that Eveline seldom resorted to amusement +which was attended with such bustle, and put in motion so many +persons. + +The day being worn out as it best might, in the evening Father +Aldrovand was wont to read out of some holy legend, or from the +homilies of some departed saint, such passages as he deemed fit +for the hearing of his little congregation. Sometimes also he read +and expounded a chapter of the Holy Scripture; but in such cases, +the good man's attention was so strangely turned to the military +part of the Jewish history, that he was never able to quit the +books of Judges and of Kings, together with the triumphs of Judas +Maccabeus; although the manner in which he illustrated the +victories of the children of Israel was much more amusing to +himself than edifying to his female audience. + +Sometimes, but rarely, Rose obtained permission for a strolling +minstrel to entertain an hour with his ditty of love and chivalry; +sometimes a pilgrim from a distant shrine, repaid by long tales of +the wonders which he had seen in other lands, the hospitality +which the Garde Doloureuse afforded; and sometimes also it +happened, that the interest and intercession of the tiring-woman +obtained admission for travelling merchants, or pedlars, who, at +the risk of their lives, found profit by carrying from castle to +castle the materials of rich dresses and female ornaments. + +The usual visits of mendicants, of jugglers, of travelling +jesters, are not to be forgotten in this list of amusements; and +though his nation subjected him to close watch and observation, +even the Welsh bard, with his huge harp strung with horse-hair, +was sometimes admitted to vary the uniformity of their secluded +life. But, saving such amusements, and saving also the regular +attendance upon the religious duties at the chapel, it was +impossible for life to glide away in more wearisome monotony than +at the castle of the Garde Doloureuse. Since the death of its +brave owner, to whom feasting and hospitality seemed as natural as +thoughts of honour and deeds of chivalry, the gloom of a convent +might be said to have enveloped the ancient mansion of Raymond +Berenger, were it not that the presence of so many armed warders, +stalking in solemn state on the battlements, gave it rather the +aspect of a state-prison; and the temper of the inhabitants +gradually became infected by the character of their dwelling. + +The spirits of Eveline in particular felt a depression, which her +naturally lively temper was quite inadequate to resist; and as her +ruminations became graver, had caught that calm and contemplative +manner, which is so often united with an ardent and enthusiastical +temperament. She meditated deeply upon the former accidents of her +life; nor can it be wondered that her thoughts repeatedly wandered +back to the two several periods on which she had witnessed, or +supposed that she had witnessed, a supernatural appearance. Then +it was that it often seemed to her, as if a good and evil power +strove for mastery over her destiny. + +Solitude is favourable to feelings of self-importance; and it is +when alone, and occupied only with their own thoughts, that +fanatics have reveries, and imagined saints lose themselves in +imaginary ecstasies. With Eveline the influence of enthusiasm went +not such a length, yet it seemed to her as if in the vision of the +night she saw sometimes the aspect of the Lady of the Garde +Doloureuse, bending upon her glances of pity, comfort, and +protection; sometimes the ominous form of the Saxon castle of +Baldringbam, holding up the bloody hand as witness of the injuries +with which she had been treated while in life, and menacing with +revenge the descendant of her murderer. + +On awaking from such dreams, Eveline would reflect that she was +the last branch of her house--a house to which the tutelage and +protection of the miraculous Image, and the enmity and evil +influence of the revengeful Vanda, had been peculiarly attached +for ages. It seemed to her as if she were the prize, for the +disposal of which the benign saint and vindictive fiend were now +to play their last and keenest game. + +Thus thinking, and experiencing little interruption of her +meditations from any external circumstance of interest and +amusement, she became pensive, absent, wrapt herself up in +contemplations which withdrew her attention from the conversation +around her, and walked in the world of reality like one who is +still in a dream. When she thought of her engagement with the +Constable of Chester, it was with resignation, but without a wish, +and almost without an expectation, that she would be called upon +to fulfil it. She had accomplished her vow by accepting the faith +of her deliverer in exchange for her own; and although she held +herself willing to redeem the pledge--nay, would scarce confess to +herself the reluctance with which she thought of doing so--yet it +is certain that she entertained unavowed hopes that Our Lady of +the Garde Doloureuse would not be a severe creditor; but, +satisfied with the readiness she had shown to accomplish her vow, +would not insist upon her claim in its full rigour. It would have +been the blackest ingratitude, to have wished that her gallant +deliverer, whom she had so much cause to pray for, should +experience any of those fatalities which in the Holy Land so often +changed the laurel-wreath into cypress; but other accidents +chanced, when men had been long abroad, to alter those purposes +with which they had left home. + +A strolling minstrel, who sought the Garde Doloureuse, had +recited, for the amusement of the lady and household, the +celebrated lay of the Count of Gleichen, who, already married in +his own country, laid himself under so many obligations in the +East to a Saracen princess, through whose means he achieved his +freedom, that he married her also. The Pope and his conclave were +pleased to approve of the double wedlock, in a case so +extraordinary; and the good Count of Gleichen shared his nuptial +bed between two wives of equal rank, and now sleeps between them +under the same monument. The commentaries of the inmates of the +castle had been various and discrepant upon this legend. Father +Aldrovand considered it as altogether false, and an unworthy +calumny on the head of the church, in affirming his Holiness would +countenance such irregularity. Old Margery, with the tender- +heartedness of an ancient nurse, wept bitterly for pity during the +tale, and, never questioning either the power of the Pope or the +propriety of his decision, was pleased that a mode of extrication +was found for a complication of love distresses which seemed +almost inextricable. Dame Gillian declared it unreasonable, that, +since a woman was only allowed one husband, a man should, under +any circumstances, be permitted to have two wives; while Raoul, +glancing towards her a look of verjuice, pitied the deplorable +idiocy of the man who could be fool enough to avail himself of +such a privilege. + +"Peace, all the rest of you," said the Lady Eveline; "and do you, +my dear Rose, tell me your judgment upon the Count of Gleichen and +his two wives." + +Rose blushed, and replied, "She was not much accustomed to think +of such matters; but that, in her apprehension, the wife who could +be contented with but one half of her husband's affections, had +never deserved to engage the slightest share of them." + +"Thou art partly right, Rose," said Eveline; "and methinks the +European lady, when she found herself outshone by the young and +beautiful foreign princess, would have best consulted her own +dignity in resigning the place, and giving the Holy Father no more +trouble than in annulling the marriage, as has been done in cases +of more frequent occurrence." + +This she said with an air of indifference and even gaiety, which +intimated to her faithful attendant with how little effort she +herself could have made such a sacrifice, and served to indicate +the state of her affections towards the Constable. But there was +another than the Constable on whom her thoughts turned more +frequently, though involuntarily, than perhaps in prudence they +should have done. + +The recollections of Damian de Lacy had not been erased from +Eveline's mind. They were, indeed, renewed by hearing his name so +often mentioned, and by knowing that he was almost constantly in +the neighbourhood, with his whole attention fixed upon her +convenience, interest, and safety; whilst, on the other hand, so +far from waiting on her in person, he never even attempted, by a +direct communication with herself, to consult her pleasure, even +upon what most concerned her. + +The messages conveyed by Father Aldrovand, or by Rose, to Amelot, +Damian's page, while they gave an air of formality to their +intercourse, which Eveline thought unnecessary, and even unkind, +yet served to fix her attention upon the connection between them, +and to keep it ever present to her memory. The remark by which +Rose had vindicated the distance observed by her youthful +guardian, sometimes arose to her recollection; and while her soul +repelled with scorn the suspicion, that, in any case, his +presence, whether at intervals or constantly, could be prejudicial +to his uncle's interest, she conjured up various arguments for +giving him a frequent place in her memory.--Was it not her duty to +think of Damian often and kindly, as the Constable's nearest, best +beloved, and most trusted relative?--Was he not her former +deliverer and her present guardian?--And might he not be +considered as an instrument specially employed by her divine +patroness, in rendering effectual the protection with which she +had graced her in more than one emergency? + +Eveline's mind mutinied against the restrictions which were laid +on their intercourse, as against something which inferred +suspicion and degradation, like the compelled seclusion to which +she had heard the Paynim infidels of the East subjected their +females. Why should she see her guardian only in the benefits +which he conferred upon her, and the cares he took for her safety, +and hear his sentiments only by the mouth of others, as if one of +them had been infected with the plague, or some other fatal or +infectious disorder, which might render their meeting dangerous to +the other?--And if they did meet occasionally, what else could be +the consequence, save that the care of a brother towards a sister +--of a trusty and kind guardian to the betrothed bride of his near +relative and honoured patron, might render the melancholy +seclusion of the Garde Doloureuse more easy to be endured by one +so young in years, and, though dejected by present circumstances, +naturally so gay in temper? + +Yet, though this train of reasoning appeared to Eveline, when +tracing it in her own mind, so conclusive, that she several times +resolved to communicate her view of the case to Rose Flammock, it +so chanced that, whenever she looked on the calm steady blue eye +of the Flemish maiden, and remembered that her unblemished faith +was mixed with a sincerity and plain dealing proof against every +consideration, she feared lest she might be subjected in the +opinion of her attendant to suspicions from which her own mind +freed her; and her proud Norman spirit revolted at the idea of +being obliged to justify herself to another, when she stood self- +acquitted to her own mind. "Let things be as they are," she said; +"and let us endure all the weariness of a life which might be so +easily rendered more cheerful, rather than that this zealous but +punctilious friend should, in the strictness and nicety of her +feelings on my account, conceive me capable of encouraging an +intercourse which could lead to a less worthy thought of me in the +mind of the most scrupulous of man--or of womankind." But even +this vacillation of opinion and resolution tended to bring the +image of the handsome young Damian more frequently before the Lady +Eveline's fancy, than perhaps his uncle, had he known it, would +altogether have approved of. In such reflections, however, she +never indulged long, ere a sense of the singular destiny which had +hitherto attended her, led her back into the more melancholy +contemplations from which the buoyancy of her youthful fancy had +for a short time emancipated her. + + + + +CHAPTER THE TWENTY-THIRD + + + ---Ours is the skie, + Where at what fowl we please our hawk shall flie. + RANDOLPH. + + +One bright September morning, old Raoul was busy in the mews where +he kept his hawks, grumbling all the while to himself as he +surveyed the condition of each bird, and blaming alternately the +carelessness of the under-falconer, and the situation of the +building, and the weather, and the wind, and all things around +him, for the dilapidation which time and disease had made in the +neglected hawking establishment of the Garde Doloureuse. While in +these unpleasing meditations, he was surprised by the voice of his +beloved Dame Gillian, who seldom was an early riser, and yet more +rarely visited him when he was in his sphere of peculiar +authority. "Raoul, Raoul! where art thou, man?--Ever to seek for, +when thou canst make aught of advantage for thyself or me!" + +"And what want'st thou, dame?" said Raoul, "what means thy +screaming worse than the seagull before wet weather? A murrain on +thy voice! it is enough to fray every hawk from the perch." + +"Hawk!" answered Dame Gillian; "it is time to be looking for +hawks, when here is a cast of the bravest falcons come hither for +sale, that ever flew by lake, brook, or meadow!" + +"Kites! like her that brings the news," said Raoul. + +"No, nor kestrils like him that hears it," replied Gillian; "but +brave jerfalcons, with large nares, strongly armed, and beaks +short and something bluish--" + +"Pshaw, with thy jargon!--Where came they from?" said Raoul, +interested in the tidings, but unwilling to give his wife the +satisfaction of seeing that he was so. + +"From the Isle of Man," replied Gillian. + +"They must be good, then, though it was a woman brought tidings of +them," said Raoul, smiling grimly at his own wit; then, leaving +the mews, he demanded to know where this famous falcon-merchant +was to be met withal. + +"Why, between the barriers and the inner gate," replied Gillian, +"where other men are admitted that have wares to utter--Where +should he be?" + +"And who let him in?" demanded the suspicious Raoul. + +"Why, Master Steward, thou owl!" said Gillian; "he came but now to +my chamber, and sent me hither to call you." + +"Oh, the steward--the steward--I might have guessed as much. And +he came to thy chamber, doubtless, because he could not have as +easily come hither to me himself.--Was it not so, sweetheart?" + +"I do not know why he chose to come to me rather than to you, +Raoul," said Gillian; "and if I did know, perhaps I would not tell +you. Go to--miss your bargain, or make your bargain, I care not +which--the man will not wait for you--he has good proffers from +the Seneschal of Malpas, and the Welsh Lord of Dinevawr." + +"I come--I come," said Raoul, who felt the necessity of embracing +this opportunity of improving his hawking establishment, and +hastened to the gate, where he met the merchant, attended by a +servant, who kept in separate cages the three falcons which he +offered for sale. + +The first glance satisfied Raoul that they were of the best breed +in Europe, and that, if their education were in correspondence to +their race, there could scarce be a more valuable addition even to +a royal mews. The merchant did not fail to enlarge upon all their +points of excellence; the breadth of their shoulders, the strength +of their train, their full and fierce dark eyes, the boldness with +which they endured the approach of strangers, and the lively +spirit and vigour with which they pruned their plumes, and shook, +or, as it was technically termed, roused themselves. He expatiated +on the difficulty and danger with which they were obtained from +the rock of Ramsey, on which they were bred, and which was an +every unrivalled even on the coast of Norway. + +Raoul turned apparently a deaf ear to all these commendations. +"Friend merchant," said he, "I know a falcon as well as thou dost, +and I will not deny that thine are fine ones; but if they be not +carefully trained and reclaimed, I would rather have a goss-hawk +on my perch than the fairest falcon that ever stretched wing to +weather." + +"I grant ye," said the merchant; "but if we agree on the price, +for that is the main matter, thou shalt see the birds fly if thou +wilt, and then buy them or not as thou likest. I am no true +merchant if thou ever saw'st birds beat them, whether at the mount +or the stoop." + +"That I call fair," said Raoul, "if the price be equally so." + +"It shall be corresponding," said the hawk-merchant; "for I have +brought six casts from the island, by the good favour of good King +Reginald of Man, and I have sold every feather of them save these; +and so, having emptied my cages and filled my purse, I desire not +to be troubled longer with the residue; and if a good fellow and a +judge, as thou seemest to be, should like the hawks when he has +seen them fly, he shall have the price of his own making." + +"Go to," said Raoul, "we will have no blind bargains; my lady, if +the hawks be suitable, is more able to pay for them than thou to +give them away. Will a bezant be a conformable price for the +cast?" + +"A bezant, Master Falconer!--By my faith, you are no bold +bodesman! nevertheless, double your offer, and I will consider +it." + +"If the hawks are well reclaimed," said Raoul, "I will give you a +bezant and a half; but I will see them strike a heron ere I will +be so rash as to deal with you." + +"It is well," said the merchant, "and I had better take your offer +than be longer cumbered with them; for were I to carry them into +Wales, I might get paid in a worse fashion by some of their long +knives.--Will you to horse presently?" + +"Assuredly," said Raoul; "and, though March be the fitter month +for hawking at the heron, yet I will show you one of these +frogpeckers for the trouble of riding the matter of a mile by the +water-side." + +"Content, Sir Falconer," said the merchant. "But are we to go +alone, or is there no lord or lady in the castle who would take +pleasure to see a piece of game gallantly struck? I am not afraid +to show these hawks to a countess." "My lady used to love the +sport well enough," said Raoul; "but, I wot not why, she is moped +and mazed ever since her father's death, and lives in her fair +castle like a nun in a cloister, without disport or revelry of any +kind. Nevertheless, Gillian, thou canst do something with her-- +good now, do a kind deed for once, and move her to come out and +look on this morning's sport--the poor heart hath seen no pastime +this summer." + +"That I will do," quoth Gillian; "and, moreover, I will show her +such a new riding-tire for the head, that no woman born could ever +look at without the wish to toss it a little in the wind." + +As Gillian spoke, it appeared to her jealous-pated husband that he +surprised a glance of more intelligence exchanged betwixt her and +the trader than brief acquaintance seemed to warrant, even when +allowance was made for the extreme frankness of Dame Gillian's +disposition. He thought also, that, on looking more closely at the +merchant, his lineaments were not totally unknown to him; and +proceeded to say to him dryly, "We have met before, friend, but I +cannot call to remembrance where." + +"Like enough," said the merchant; "I have used this country often, +and may have taken money of you in the way of trade. If I were in +fitting place, I would gladly bestow a bottle of wine to our +better acquaintance." + +"Not so fast, friend," said the old huntsman; "ere I drink to +better acquaintance with any one, I must be well pleased with what +I already know of him. We will see thy hawks fly, and if their +breeding match thy bragging, we may perhaps crush a cup together. +--And here come grooms and equerries, in faith--my lady has +consented to come forth." + +The opportunity of seeing this rural pastime had offered itself to +Eveline, at a time when the delightful brilliancy of the day, the +temperance of the air, and the joyous work of harvest, proceeding +in every direction around, made the temptation to exercise almost +irresistible. + +As they proposed to go no farther than the side of the +neighbouring river, near the fatal bridge, over which a small +guard of infantry was constantly maintained, Eveline dispensed +with any farther escort, and, contrary to the custom of the +castle, took no one in her train save Rose and Gillian, and one or +two servants, who led spaniels, or carried appurtenances of the +chase. Raoul, the merchant, and an equerry, attended her of +course, each holding a hawk on his wrist, and anxiously adjusting +the mode in which they should throw them off, so as best to +ascertain the extent of their powers and training. + +When these important points had been adjusted, the party rode down +the river, carefully looking on every side for the object of their +game; but no heron was seen stalking on the usual haunts of the +bird, although there was a heronry at no great distance. + +Few disappointments of a small nature are more teasing than that +of a sportsman, who, having set out with all means and appliances +for destruction of game, finds that there is none to be met with; +because he conceives himself, with his full shooting trim, and his +empty game-pouch, to be subjected to the sneer of every passing +rustic. The party of the Lady Eveline felt all the degradation of +such disappointment. + +"A fair country this," said the merchant, "where, on two miles of +river, you cannot find one poor heron!" + +"It is the clatter those d--d Flemings make with their water-mills +and fulling-mills," said Raoul; "they destroy good sport and good +company wherever they come. But were my lady willing to ride a +mile or so farther to the Red Pool, I could show you a long- +shanked fellow who would make your hawks cancelier till their +brains were giddy." + +"The Red Pool!" said Rose; "thou knowest it is more than three +miles beyond the bridge, and lies up towards the hills." + +"Ay, ay," said Raoul, "another Flemish freak to spoil pastime! +They are not so scarce on the Marches these Flemish wenches, that +they should fear being hawked at by Welsh haggards." + +"Raoul is right, Rose," answered Eveline; "it is absurd to be +cooped uplike birds in a cage, when all around us has been so +uniformly quiet. I am determined to break out of bounds for once, +and see sport in our old fashion, without being surrounded with +armed men like prisoners of state. We will merrily to the Red +Pool, wench, and kill a heron like free maids of the Marches." + +"Let me but tell my father, at least, to mount and follow us," +said Rose--for they were now near the re-established manufacturing +houses of the stout Fleming. + +"I care not if thou dost, Rose," said Eveline; "yet credit me, +girl, we will be at the Red Pool, and thus far on our way home +again, ere thy father has donned his best doublet, girded on his +two-handed sword, and accoutred his strong Flanderkin elephant of +a horse, which he judiciously names Sloth--nay, frown not, and +lose not, in justifying thy father, the time that may be better +spent in calling him out." + +Rose rode to the mills accordingly, when Wilkin Flammock, at the +command of his liege mistress, readily hastened to get his steel +cap and habergeon, and ordered half-a-dozen of his kinsmen and +servants to get on horseback. Rose remained with him, to urge him +to more despatch than his methodical disposition rendered natural +to him; but in spite of all her efforts to stimulate him, the Lady +Eveline had passed the bridge more than half an hour ere her +escort was prepared to follow her. + +Meanwhile, apprehensive of no evil, and riding gaily on, with the +sensation of one escaped from confinement, Eveline moved forward +on her lively jennet, as light as a lark; the plumes with which +Dame Gillian had decked her riding-bonnet dancing in the wind, and +her attendants galloping behind her, with dogs, pouches, lines, +and all other appurtenances of the royal sport of hawking. After +passing the river, the wild green-sward path which they pursued +began to wind upward among small eminences, some-times bare and +craggy, sometimes overgrown with hazel, sloethorn, and other dwarf +shrubs, and at length suddenly descending, brought them to the +verge of a mountain rivulet, that, like a lamb at play, leapt +merrily from rock to rock, seemingly uncertain which way to run. + +"This little stream was always my favourite, Dame Gillian," said +Eveline, "and now methinks it leaps the lighter that it sees me +again." + +"Ah! lady," said Dame Gillian, whose turn for conversation never +ex-tended in such cases beyond a few phrases of gross flattery, +"many a fair knight would leap shoulder-height for leave to look +on you as free as the brook may! more especially now that you have +donned that riding-cap, which, in exquisite delicacy of invention, +methinks, is a bow-shot before aught that I ever invented--What +thinkest thou, Raoul?" + +"I think," answered her well-natured helpmate, "that women's +tongues were contrived to drive all the game out of the country.-- +Here we come near to the spot where we hope to speed, or no where; +wherefore, pray, my sweet lady, be silent yourself, and keep your +followers as much so as their natures will permit, while we steal +along the bank of the pool, under the wind, with our hawks' hoods +cast loose, all ready for a flight." + +As he spoke, they advanced about a hundred yards up the brawling +stream, until the little vale through which it flowed, making a +very sudden turn to one side, showed them the Red Pool, the +superfluous water of which formed the rivulet itself. + +This mountain-lake, or tarn, as it is called in some countries, +was a deep basin of about a mile in circumference, but rather +oblong than circular. On the side next to our falconers arose a +ridge of rock, of a dark red hue, giving name to the pool, which, +reflecting this massive and dusky barrier, appeared to partake of +its colour. On the opposite side was a heathy hill, whose autumnal +bloom had not yet faded from purple to russet; its surface was +varied by the dark green furze and the fern, and in many places +gray cliffs, or loose stones of the same colour, formed a contrast +to the ruddy precipice to which they lay opposed. A natural road +of beautiful sand was formed by a beach, which, extending all the +way around the lake, separated its waters from the precipitous +rock on the one hand, and on the other from the steep and broken +hill; and being no where less than five or six yards in breadth, +and in most places greatly more, offered around its whole circuit +a tempting opportunity to the rider, who desired to exercise and +breathe the horse on which he was mounted. The verge of the pool +on the rocky side was here and there strewed with fragments of +large size, detached from the precipice above, but not in such +quantity as to encumber this pleasant horse-course. Many of these +rocky masses, having passed the margin of the water in their fall, +lay immersed there like small islets; and, placed amongst a little +archipelago, the quick eye of Raoul detected the heron which they +were in search of. + +A moment's consultation was held to consider in what manner they +should approach the sad and solitary bird, which, unconscious that +itself was the object of a formidable ambuscade, stood motionless +on a stone, by the brink of the lake, watching for such small fish +or water-reptiles as might chance to pass by its lonely station. A +brief debate took place betwixt Raoul and the hawk-merchant on the +best mode of starting the quarry, so as to allow Lady Eveline and +her attendants the most perfect view of the flight. The facility +of killing the heron at the _far jettee_ or at the _jettee +ferre_--that is, upon the hither or farther sid of the pool-- +was anxiously debated in language of breathless importance, as if +some great and perilous enterprise was about to be executed. + +At length the arrangements were fixed, and the party began to +advance towards the aquatic hermit, who, by this time aware of +their approach, drew himself up to his full height, erected his +long lean neck, spread his broad fan-like wings, uttered his usual +clanging cry, and, projecting his length of thin legs far behind +him, rose upon the gentle breeze. It was then, with a loud whoop +of encouragement, that the merchant threw off the noble hawk he +bore, having first unhooded her to give her a view of her quarry. + +Eager as a frigate in chase of some rich galleon, darted the +falcon towards the enemy, which she had been taught to pursue; +while, preparing for defence, if he should be unable to escape by +flight, the heron exerted all his powers of speed to escape from +an enemy so formidable. Plying his almost unequalled strength of +wing, he ascended high and higher in the air, by short gyrations, +that the hawk might gain no vantage ground for pouncing at him; +while his spiked beak, at the extremity of so long a neck as +enabled him to strike an object at a yard's distance in every +direction, possessed for any less spirited assailant all the +terrors of a Moorish javelin. + +Another hawk was now thrown off, and encouraged by the halloos of +the falconer to join her companion. Both kept mounting, or scaling +the air, as it were, by a succession of small circles, endeavoring +to gain that superior height which the heron on his part was bent +to preserve; and to the exquisite delight of the spectators, the +contest was continued until all three were well-nigh mingled with +the fleecy clouds, from which was occasionally heard the harsh and +plaintive cry of the quarry, appealing as it were to the heaven +which he was approaching, against the wanton cruelty of those by +whom he was persecuted. + +At length on of the falcons had reached a pitch from which she +ventured to stoop at the heron; but so judiciously did the quarry +maintain his defence, as to receive on his beak the stroke which +the falcon, shooting down at full descent, had made against his +right wing; so that one of his enemies, spiked through the body by +his own weight, fell fluttering into the lake, very near the land, +on the side farthest from the falconers, and perished there. + +"There goes a gallant falcon to the fishes," said Raoul. +"Merchant, thy cake is dough." + +Even as he spoke, however, the remaining bird had avenged the fate +of her sister; for the success which the heron met with on one +side, did not prevent his being assailed on the other wing; and +the falcon stooping boldly, and grappling with, or, as it is +called in falconry, _binding_ his prey, both came tumbling +down together, from a great height in the air. It was then no +small object on the part of the falconers to come in as soon as +possible, lest the falcon should receive hurt from the beak or +talons of the heron; and the whole party, the men setting spurs, +and the females switching their palfreys, went off like the wind, +sweeping along the fair and smooth beach betwixt the rock and the +water. + +Lady Eveline, far better mounted than any of her train, her +spirits elated by the sport, and by the speed at which she moved, +was much sooner than any of her attendants at the spot where the +falcon and heron, still engaged in their mortal struggle, lay +fighting upon the moss; the wing of the latter having been broken +by the stoop of the former. The duty of a falconer in such a +crisis was to run in and assist the hawk, by thrusting the heron's +bill into the earth, and breaking his legs, and thus permitting +the falcon to dispatch him on easy terms. + +Neither would the sex nor quality of the Lady Eveline have excused +her becoming second to the falcon in this cruel manner; but, just +as she had dismounted for that purpose, she was surprised to find +herself seized on by wild form, who exclaimed in Welsh, that he +seized her as a _waif_, for hawking on the demesnes of Dawfyd +with the one eye. At the same time many other Welshmen, to the +number of more than a score, showed them-selves from behind crags +and bushes, all armed at point with the axes called Welsh hooks, +long knives, darts, and bows and arrows. + +Eveline screamed to her attendants for assistance, and at the same +time made use of what Welsh phrases she possessed, to move the +fears or excite the compassion of the outlawed mountaineers, for +she doubted not that she had fallen under the power of such a +party. When she found her requests were unheeded, and she +perceived it was their purpose to detain her prisoner, she +disdained to use farther entreaties, but demanded at their peril +that they should treat her with respect, promising in that case +that she would pay them a large ransom, and threatening them with +the vengeance of the Lords Marchers, and particularly of Sir +Damian de Lacy, if they ventured to use her otherwise. + +The men seemed to understand her, and although they proceeded to +tie a bandage over her eyes, and to bind her arms with her own +veil, yet they observed in these acts of violence a certain +delicacy and attention both to her feelings and her safety, which +led her to hope that her request had had some effect on them. They +secured her to the saddle of her palfrey, and led her away with +them through the recesses of the hills; while she had the +additional distress to hear behind her the noise of a conflict, +occasioned by the fruitless efforts of her retinue to procure her +rescue. + +Astonishment had at first seized the hawking party, when they saw +from some distance their sport interrupted by a violent assault on +their mistress. Old Raoul valiantly put spurs to his horse, and +calling on the rest to follow him to the rescue, rode furiously +towards the banditti; but, having no other arms save a hawking- +pole and short sword, he and those who followed him in his +meritorious but ineffectual attempt were easily foiled, and Raoul +and one or two of the foremost severely beaten; the banditti +exercising upon them their own poles till they were broken to +splinters, but generously abstaining from the use of more +dangerous weapons. The rest of the retinue, completely +discouraged, dispersed to give the alarm, and the merchant and +Dame Gillian remained by the lake, filling the air with shrieks of +useless fear and sorrow. The outlaws, meanwhile, drawing together +in a body, shot a few arrows at the fugitives, but more to alarm +than to injure them, and then marched off in a body, as if to +cover their companions who had gone before, with the Lady Eveline +in their custody. + + + + +CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FOURTH. + + + Four ruffians seized me yester morn-- + Alas! a maiden most forlorn! + They choked my cries with wicked might, + And bound me on a palfrey white. COLERIDGE. + + +Such adventures as are now only recorded in works of mere fiction, +were not uncommon in the feudal ages, when might was so +universally superior to right; and it followed that those whose +conditions exposed them to frequent violence, were more prompt in +repelling, and more patient in enduring it, than could otherwise +have been expected from their sex and age. + +The Lady Eveline felt that she was a prisoner, nor was she devoid +of fears concerning the purposes of this assault; but she suffered +neither her alarm, nor the violence with which she was hurried +along, to deprive her of the power of observing and reflecting. +From the noise of hoofs which now increased around, she concluded +that the greater part of the ruffians by whom she had been seized +had betaken themselves to their horses. This she knew was +consonant to the practice of the Welsh marauders, who, although +the small size and slightness of their nags made them totally +unfit for service in battle, availed themselves of their activity +and sureness of foot to transport them with the necessary celerity +to and from the scenes of their rapine; ensuring thus a rapid and +unperceived approach, and a secure and speedy retreat. These +animals traversed without difficulty, and beneath the load of a +heavy soldier, the wild mountain paths by which the country was +intersected, and in one of which Lady Eveline Berenger concluded +she was now engaged, from the manner in which her own palfrey, +supported by a man on foot at either rein, seemed now to labour up +some precipice, and anon to descend with still greater risk on the +other side. + +At one of those moments, a voice which she had not yet +distinguished addressed her in the Anglo-Norman language, and +asked, with apparent interest, if she sat safely on her saddle, +offering at the same time to have her accoutrements altered at her +pleasure and convenience. + +"Insult not my condition with the mention of safety," said +Eveline; "you may well believe that I hold my safety altogether +irreconcilable with these deeds of violence. If I or my vassals +have done injury to any of the _Gymry_, [Footnote: Cymbri, or +Welsh.] let me know, and it shall be amended--If it is ransom +which you desire, name the sum, and I will send an order to treat +for it; but detain me not prisoner, for that can but injure me, +and will avail you nothing." + +"The Lady Eveline," answered the voice, still in a tone of +courtesy inconsistent with the violence which she sustained, "will +speedily find that our actions are more rough than purposes." + +"If you know who I am," said Eveline, "you cannot doubt that this +atrocity will be avenged--you must know by whose banner my lands +are at present protected." + +"Under De Lacy's," answered the voice, with a tone of indifference +"Be it so--falcons fear not falcons." + +At this moment there was a halt, and a confused murmur arose +amongst those around her, who had hitherto been silent, unless +when muttering to each other in Welsh, and as briefly as possible, +directions which way to hold, or encouragement to use haste. + +These murmurs ceased, and there was a pause of several minutes; at +length Eveline again heard the voice which formerly addressed her, +giving directions which she could not understand. He then spoke to +herself, "You will presently see," he said, "whether I have spoken +truly, when I said I scorned the ties by which you are fettered. +But you are at once the cause of strife and the reward of victory-- +your safety must be cared for as time will admit; and, strange as +the mode of protection is to which we are to intrust you, I trust +the victor in the approaching struggle will find you uninjured." + +"Do not, for the sake of the blessed Virgin, let there be strife +and bloodshed!" said Eveline; "rather unbind my eyes, and let me +speak to those whose approach you dread. If friends, as it would +seem to me, I will be the means of peace between you." + +"I despise peace," replied the speaker. "I have not undertaken a +resolute and daring adventure, to resign it as a child doth his +plaything, at the first frown of fortune. Please to alight, noble +lady; or rather be not offended that I thus lift you from thy +seat, and place you on the greensward." + +As he spoke, Eveline felt herself lifted from her palfrey, and +placed carefully and safely on the ground, in a sitting posture. A +moment after, the same peremptory valet who had aided her to +dismount, disrobed her of her cap, the masterpiece of Dame +Gillian, and of her upper mantle. "I must yet farther require +you," said the bandit leader, "to creep on hands and knees into +this narrow aperture. Believe me, I regret the nature of the +singular fortification to which I commit your person for safety." + +Eveline crept forwards as directed, conceiving resistance to be of +no avail, and thinking that compliance with the request of one who +spoke like a person of consequence, might find her protection +against the unbridled fury of the Welsh, to whom she was +obnoxious, as being the cause of Gwenwyn's death, and the defeat +of the Britons under the walls of the Garde Doloureuse. + +She crept then forwards through a narrow and damp passage, built +on either side with rough stones, and so low that she could not +have entered it in any other posture. When she had proceeded about +two or three yards, the passage opened into a concavity or +apartment, high enough to permit her to sit at her ease, and of +irregular, but narrow, dimensions. At the same time she became +sensible, from the noise which she heard behind her, that the +ruffians were stopping up the passage by which she had been thus +introduced into the bowels of the earth. She could distinctly hear +the clattering of stone with which they closed the entrance, and +she became sensible that the current of fresh air, which had +rushed through the opening, was gradually failing, and that the +atmosphere of the subterranean apartment became yet more damp, +earthy, and oppressive than at first. + +At this moment came a distant sound from without, in which Eveline +thought she could distinguish cries, blows, the trampling of +horse, the oaths, shouts, and screams of the combatants, but all +deadened by the rude walls of her prison, into a confused hollow +murmur, conveying such intelligence to her ears as we may suppose +the dead to hear from the world they have quitted. + +Influenced by desperation, under circumstances so dreadful, +Eveline struggled for liberty with such frantic energy, that she +partly effected her purpose by forcing her arms from the bonds +which confined them. But this only convinced her of the +impossibility to escape; for, rending off the veil which wrapped +her head, she found herself in total darkness, and flinging her +arms hastily around her, she discovered she was cooped up in a +subterranean cavern, of very narrow dimensions. Her hands, which +groped around, encountered only pieces of decayed metal, and a +substance which, at another moment, would have made her shudder, +being, in truth, the mouldering bones of the dead. At present, not +even this circumstance could add to her fears, immured as she +seemed to be, to perish by a strange and subterranean death, while +her friends and deliverers were probably within a few yards of +her. She flung her arms wildly around in search of some avenue of +escape, but every effort she made for liberating herself from the +ponderous circumvallation, was as ineffectual as if directed +against the dome of a cathedral. + +The noise by which her ears were at first assailed increased +rapidly, and at one moment it seemed as if the covering of the +vault under which she lay sounded repeatedly to blows, or the +shock of substances which had fallen, or been thrown, against it. +It was impossible that a human brain could have withstood these +terrors, operating upon it so immediately; but happily this +extremity lasted not long. Sounds, more hollow, and dying away in +distance, argued that one or other of the parties had retreated; +and at length all was silent. + +Eveline was now left to the undisturbed contemplation of her own +disastrous situation. The fight was over, and, as circumstances +led her to infer, her own friends were conquerors; for otherwise +the victor would have relieved her from her place of confinement, +and carried her away captive with him, as his words had menaced. +But what could the success of her faithful friends and followers +avail Eveline, who, pent up under a place of concealment which, +whatever was its character, must have escaped their observation, +was left on the field of battle, to become again the prize of the +enemy, should their band venture to return, or die in darkness and +privation, a death as horrid as ever tyrant invented, or martyr +underwent, and which the unfortunate young lady could not even +bear to think of without a prayer that her agony might at least be +shortened. + +In this hour of dread she recollected the poniard which she wore, +and the dark thought crossed her mind, that, when life became +hopeless, a speedy death was at least within her reach. As her +soul shuddered at so dreadful an alternative, the question +suddenly occurred, might not this weapon be put to a more hallowed +use, and aid her emancipation, instead of abridging her +sufferings? + +This hope once adopted, the daughter of Raymond Berenger hastened +to prove the experiment, and by repeated efforts succeeded, though +with difficulty, in changing her posture, so as to admit of her +inspecting her place of confinement all around, but particularly +the passage by which she had entered, and by which she now +attempted again to return to the light of day. She crept to the +extremity, and found it, as she expected, strongly blocked up with +large stones and earth, rammed together in such a manner as nearly +to extinguish all hope of escape. The work, however, had been +hastily performed, and life and liberty were prizes to stimulate +exertion. With her poniard she cleared away the earth and sods-- +with her hands, little accustomed to such labour, she removed +several stones, and advanced in her task so far as to obtain a +glimmering of light, and, what was scarce less precious, a supply +of purer air. But, at the same time, she had the misfortune to +ascertain, that, from the size and massiveness of a huge stone +which closed the extremity of the passage, there was no hope that +her unassisted strength could effect her extrication. Yet her +condition was improved by the admission of air and light, as well +as by the opportunity afforded of calling out for assistance. + +Such cries, indeed, were for some time uttered in vain--the field +had probably been left to the dead and the dying; for low and +indistinct groans were the only answer which she received for +several minutes. At length, as she repeated her exclamation, a +voice, faint as that of one just awakened from a swoon, pronounced +these words in answer:--"Edris of the Earthen House, dost thou +call from thy tomb to the wretch who just hastens to his own?--Are +the boundaries broken down which connect me with the living?--And +do I already hear, with fleshly ears, the faint and screaming +accents of the dead?" + +"It is no spirit who speaks," replied Eveline, overjoyed at +finding she could at least communicate her existence to a living +person--"no spirit, but a most unhappy maiden, Eveline Berenger by +name, immured beneath this dark vault, and in danger to perish +horribly, unless God send me rescue!" + +"Eveline Berenger!" exclaimed he whom she addressed, in the +accents of wonder. "It is impossible!--I watched her green mantle +--I watched her plumy bonnet as I saw her hurried from the field, +and felt my own inability to follow to the rescue; nor did force +or exertion altogether leave me till the waving of the robe and +the dancing of the feathers were lost to my eyes, and all hope of +rescuing her abandoned my heart." + +"Faithful vassal, or right true friend, or courteous stranger, +whichsoever I may name thee," answered Eveline, "know thou hast +been abused by the artifices of these Welsh banditti--the mantle +and head-gear of Eveline Berenger they have indeed with them, and +may have used them to mislead those true friends, who, like thee, +are anxious for my fate. Wherefore, brave sir, devise some +succour, if thou canst, for thyself and me; since I dread that +these ruffians, when they shall have escaped immediate pursuit, +will return hither, like the robber to the hoard where he has +deposited his stolen booty." + +"Now, the Holy Virgin be praised," said the wounded man, "that I +can spend the last breath of my life in thy just and honourable +service! I would not before blow my bugle, lest I recalled from +the pursuit to the aid of my worthless self some of those who +might be effectually engaged in thy rescue; may Heaven grant that +the recall may now be heard, that my eyes may yet see the Lady +Eveline in safety and liberty!" + +The words, though spoken in a feeble tone, breathed a spirit of +enthusiasm, and were followed by the blast of a horn, faintly +winded, to which no answer was made save the echoing of the dell. +A sharper and louder blast was then sent forth, but sunk so +suddenly, that it seemed the breath of him who sounded the +instrument had failed in the effort.--A strange thought crossed +Eveline's mind even in that moment of uncertainty and terror. +"That," she said, "was the note of a De Lacy--surely you cannot +be my gentle kinsman, Sir Damian?" + +"I am that unhappy wretch, deserving of death for the evil care +which I have taken of the treasure intrusted to me.--What was my +business to trust to reports and messengers? I should have +worshipped the saint who was committed to my keeping, with such +vigilance as avarice bestows on the dross which he calls treasure +--I should have rested no where, save at your gate; outwatched the +brightest stars in the horizon; unseen and unknown myself, I +should never have parted from your neighbourhood; then had you not +been in the present danger, and--much less important consequence-- +thou, Damian de Lacy, had not filled the grave of a forsworn and +negligent caitiff!" + +"Alas! noble Damian," said Eveline, "break not my heart by blaming +yourself for an imprudence which is altogether my own. Thy succour +was ever near when I intimated the least want of it; and it +imbitters my own misfortune to know that my rashness has been the +cause of your disaster. Answer me, gentle kinsman, and give me to +hope that the wounds you have suffered are such as may be cured.-- +Alas! how much of your blood have I seen spilled, and what a fate +is mine, that I should ever bring distress on all for whom I would +most willingly sacrifice my own happiness!--But do not let us +imbitter the moments given us in mercy, by fruitless repinings-- +Try what you can to stop thine ebbing blood, which is so dear to +England--to Eveline--and to thine uncle." + +Damian groaned as she spoke, and was silent; while, maddened with +the idea that he might be perishing for want of aid, Eveline +repeated her efforts to extricate herself for her kinsman's +assistance as well as her own. It was all in vain, and she had +ceased the attempt in despair; and, passing from one hideous +subject of terror to another, she sat listening, with sharpened +ear, for the dying groan of Damian, when--feeling of ecstasy!--the +ground was shaken with horses' feet advancing rapidly. Yet this +joyful sound, if decisive of life, did not assure her of liberty-- +It might be the banditti of the mountains returning to seek their +captive. Even then they would surely allow her leave to look upon +and bind up the wounds of Damian de Lacy; for to keep him as a +captive might vantage them more in many degrees, than could his +death. A horseman came up--Eveline invoked his assistance, and the +first word she heard was an exclamation in Flemish from the +faithful Wilkin Flammock, which nothing save some spectacle of the +most unusual kind was ever known to compel from that phlegmatic +person. + +His presence, indeed, was particularly useful on this occasion; +for, being informed by the Lady Eveline in what condition she was +placed, and implored at the same time to look to the situation of +Sir Damian de Lacy, he began, with admirable composure and some +skill, to stop the wounds of the one, while his attendants +collected levers, left by the Welsh as they retreated, and were +soon ready to attempt the liberation of Eveline. With much +caution, and under the experienced direction of Flammock, the +stone was at length so much raised, that the Lady Eveline was +visible, to the delight of all, and especially of the faithful +Rose, who, regardless of the risk of personal harm, fluttered +around her mistress's place of confinement, like a bird robbed of +her nestlings around the cage in which the truant urchin has +imprisoned them. Precaution was necessary to remove the stone, +lest falling inwards it might do the lady injury. + +At length the rocky fragment was so much displaced that she could +issue forth; while her people, as in hatred of the coercion which +she had sustained, ceased not to heave, with bar and lever, till, +totally destroying the balance of the heavy mass, it turned over +from the little flat on which it had been placed at the mouth of +the subterranean entrance, and, acquiring force as it revolved +down a steep declivity, was at length put into rapid motion, and +rolled, crashed, and thundered, down the hill, amid flashes of +fire which it forced from the rocks, and clouds of smoke and dust, +until it alighted in the channel of a brook, where it broke into +several massive fragments, with a noise that might have been heard +some miles off. + +With garments rent and soiled through the violence which she had +sustained; with dishevelled hair, and disordered dress; faint from +the stifling effect of her confinement, and exhausted by the +efforts she had made to relieve herself, Eveline did not, +nevertheless, waste a single minute in considering her own +condition; but with the eagerness of a sister hastening to the +assistance of her only brother, betook herself to examine the +several severe wounds of Damian de Lacy, and to use proper means +to stanch the blood and recall him from his swoon. We have said +elsewhere, that, like other ladies of the time, Eveline was not +altogether unacquainted with the surgical art, and she now +displayed a greater share of knowledge than she had been thought +capable of exerting. There was prudence, foresight, and +tenderness, in every direction which she gave, and the softness of +the female sex, with their officious humanity, ever ready to +assist in alleviating human misery, seemed in her enhanced, and +rendered dignified, by the sagacity of a strong and powerful +understanding. After hearing with wonder for a minute or two the +prudent and ready-witted directions of her mistress, Rose seemed +at once to recollect that the patient should not be left to the +exclusive care of the Lady Eveline, and joining, therefore, in the +task, she rendered what assistance she could, while the attendants +were employed in forming a litter, on which the wounded knight was +to be conveyed to the castle of the Garde Doloureuse. + + + + +CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIFTH. + + + A merry place, 'tis said, in times of yore, + But something ails it now--the place is cursed. + WORDSWORTH. + + +The place on which the skirmish had occurred, and the deliverance +of the Lady Eveline had been effected, was a wild and singular +spot, being a small level plain, forming a sort of stage, or +resting-place, between two very rough paths, one of which winded +up the rivulet from below, and another continued the ascent above. +Being surrounded by hills and woods, it was a celebrated spot for +finding game, and, in former days, a Welsh prince, renowned for +his universal hospitality, his love of _crw_ and of the +chase, had erected a forest-lodge, where he used to feast his +friends and followers with a profusion unexampled in Cambria. +The fancy of the bards, always captivated with magnificence, and +having no objections to the peculiar species of profusion +practised by this potentate, gave him the surname of Edris of the +Goblets; and celebrated him in their odes in terms as high as +those which exalt the heroes of the famous Hirlas Horn. The +subject of their praises, however, fell finally a victim to his +propensities, having been stabbed to the heart in one of those +scenes of confusion and drunkenness which were frequently the +conclusion of his renowned banquets. Shocked at this catastrophe, +the assembled Britons interred the relics of the Prince on the +place where he had died, within the narrow vault where Eveline had +been confined, and having barricaded the entrance of the sepulchre +with fragments of rock, heaped over it an immense _cairn_, or +pile of stones, on the summit of which they put the assassin to +death. Superstition guarded the spot; and for many a year this +memorial of Edris remained unviolated, although the lodge had gone +to ruin, and its vestiges had totally decayed. + +In latter years, some prowling band of Welsh robbers had +discovered the secret entrance, and opened it with the view of +ransacking the tomb for arms and treasures, which were in ancient +times often buried with the dead. These marauders were +disappointed, and obtained nothing by the violation of the grave +of Edris, excepting the knowledge of a secret place, which might +be used for depositing their booty, or even as a place of retreat +for one of their number in a case of emergency. + +When the followers of Damian, five or six in number, explained +their part of the history of the day to Wilkin Flammock, it +appeared that Damian had ordered them to horse at break of day, +with a more considerable body, to act, as they understood, against +a party of insurgent peasants, when of a sudden he had altered his +mind, and, dividing his force into small bands, employed himself +and them in reconnoitring more than one mountain-pass betwixt +Wales and the Marches of the English country, in the neighbourhood +of the Garde Doloureuse. + +This was an occupation so ordinary for him, that it excited no +particular notice. These manoeuvres were frequently undertaken by +the warlike marchers, for the purpose of intimidating the Welsh, +in general, more especially the bands of outlaws, who, independent +of any regular government, infested these wild frontiers. Yet it +escaped not comment, that, in undertaking such service at this +moment, Damian seemed to abandon that of dispersing the +insurgents, which had been considered as the chief object of the +day. + +It was about noon, when, falling in, as good fortune would have +it, with one of the fugitive grooms, Damian and his immediate +attendants received information of the violence committed on the +Lady Eveline, and, by their perfect knowledge of the country, wore +able to intercept the ruffians at the Pass of Edris, as it was +called, by which the Welsh rovers ordinarily returned to their +strongholds in the interior. It is probable that the banditti were +not aware of the small force which Damian headed in person, and at +the same time knew that there would be an immediate and hot +pursuit in their rear; and these circumstances led their leader to +adopt the singular expedient of hiding Eveline in the tomb, while +one of their own number, dressed in her clothes, might serve as a +decoy to deceive their assailants, and lead them, from the spot +where she was really concealed, to which it was no doubt the +purpose of the banditti to return, when they had eluded their +pursuers. + +Accordingly, the robbers had already drawn up before the tomb for +the purpose of regularly retreating, until they should find some +suitable place either for making a stand, or where, if +overmatched, they might, by abandoning their horses, and +dispersing among the rocks, evade the attack of the Norman +cavalry. Their plan had been defeated by the precipitation of +Damian, who, beholding as he thought the plumes and mantle of the +Lady Eveline in the rear of the party, charged them without +considering either the odds of numbers, or the lightness of his +own armour, which, consisting only of a headpiece and a buff +surcoat, offered but imperfect resistance to the Welsh knives and +glaives. He was accordingly wounded severely at the onset, and +would have been slain, but for the exertions of his few followers, +and the fears of the Welsh, that, while thus continuing the battle +in front, they might be assaulted in the rear by the followers of +Eveline, whom they must now suppose were all in arms and motion. +They retreated, therefore, or rather fled, and the attendants of +Damian were despatched after them by their fallen master, with +directions to let no consideration induce them to leave off the +chase, until the captive Lady of the Garde Doloureuse was +delivered from her ravishers. + +The outlaws, secure in their knowledge of the paths, and the +activity of their small Welsh horses, made an orderly retreat, +with the exception of two or three of their rear-guard, cut down +by Damian in his furious onset. They shot arrows, from time to +time, at the men-at-arms, and laughed at the ineffectual efforts +which these heavy-armed warriors, with their barbed horses, made +to overtake them. But the scene was changed by the appearance of +Wilkin Flammock, on his puissant war-horse, who was beginning to +ascend the pass, leading a party consisting both of foot and +horse. The fear of being intercepted caused the outlaws to have +recourse to their last stratagem, and, abandoning their Welsh +nags, they betook themselves to the cliffs, and, by superior +activity and dexterity, baffled, generally speaking, the attempts +of their pursuers on either hand. All of them, however, were not +equally fortunate, for two or three fell into the hands of +Flammock's party; amongst others, the person upon whom Eveline's +clothes had been placed, and who now, to the great disappointment +of those who had attached themselves to his pursuit, proved to be, +not the lady whom they were emulous to deliver, but a fair-haired +young Welshman, whose wild looks, and incoherent speech, seemed to +argue a disturbed imagination. This would not have saved him from +immediate death, the usual doom of captives taken in such +skirmishes, had not the faint blast of Damian's horn, sounding +from above, recalled his own party, and summoned that of Wilkin +Flammock to the spot; while, in the confusion and hurry of their +obeying the signal, the pity or the contempt of his guards +suffered the prisoner to escape. They had, indeed, little to learn +from him, even had he been disposed to give intelligence, or +capable of communicating it. All were well assured that their lady +had fallen into an ambuscade, formed by Dawfyd the one-eyed, a +redoubted freebooter of the period, who had ventured upon this +hardy enterprise in the hope of obtaining a large ransom for the +captive Eveline, and all, incensed at his extreme insolence and +audacity, devoted his head and limbs to the eagles and the ravens. + +These were the particulars which the followers of Flammock and of +Damian learned by comparing notes with each other, on the +incidents of the day. As they returned by the Red Pool they were +joined by Dame Gillian, who, after many exclamations of joy at the +unexpected liberation of her lady, and as many of sorrow at the +unexpected disaster of Damian, proceeded to inform the men-at- +arms, that the merchant, whose hawks had been the original cause +of these adventures, had been taken prisoner by two or three of +the Welsh in their retreat, and that she herself and the wounded +Raoul would have shared the same fate, but that they had no horse +left to mount her upon, and did not consider old Raoul as worth +either ransom or the trouble of killing. One had, indeed, flung a +stone at him as he lay on the hill-side, but happily, as his dame +said, it fell something short of him--"It was but a little fellow +who threw it," she said--"there was a big man amongst them--if he +had tried, it's like, by our Lady's grace, he had cast it a +thought farther." So saying, the dame gathered herself up, and +adjusted her dress for again mounting on horseback. + +The wounded Damian was placed on a litter, hastily constructed of +boughs, and, with the females, was placed in the centre of the +little troop, augmented by the rest of the young knight's +followers, who began to rejoin his standard. The united body now +marched with military order and precaution, and winded through the +passes with the attention of men prepared to meet and to repel +injury. + + + + +CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SIXTH. + + + What! fair and young-, and faithful too? + A miracle if this be true. + WALLER. + + +Rose, by nature one of the most disinterested and affectionate +maidens that ever breathed, was the first who, hastily considering +the peculiar condition in which her lady was placed, and the +marked degree of restraint which had hitherto characterized her +intercourse with her youthful guardian, became anxious to know how +the wounded knight was to be disposed of; and when she came to +Eveline's side for the purpose of asking this important question, +her resolution well-nigh failed her. + +The appearance of Eveline was indeed such as might have made it +almost cruelty to intrude upon her any other subject of anxious +consideration than those with which her mind had been so lately +assailed, and was still occupied. Her countenance was as pale as +death could have made it, unless where it was specked with drops +of blood; her veil, torn and disordered, was soiled with dust and +with gore; her hair, wildly dishevelled, fell in, elf-locks on her +brow and shoulders, and a single broken and ragged feather, which +was all that remained of her headgear, had been twisted among her +tresses and still flowed there, as if in mockery, rather than +ornament. Her eyes were fixed on the litter where Damian was +deposited, and she rode close beside it, without apparently +wasting a thought on any thing, save the danger of him who was +extended there. + +Rose plainly saw that her lady was under feelings of excitation, +which might render it difficult for her to take a wise and prudent +view of her own situation. She endeavoured gradually to awaken her +to a sense of it. "Dearest lady," said Rose, "will it please you +to take my mantle?" + +"Torment me not," answered Eveline, with some sharpness in her +accent. + +"Indeed, my lady," said Dame Gillian, bustling up as one who +feared her functions as mistress of the robes might be interfered +with--"indeed, my lady, Rose Flammock speaks truth; and neither +your kirtle nor your gown are sitting as they should do; and, to +speak truth, they are but barely decent. And so, if Rose will turn +herself, and put her horse out of my way," continued the tire- +woman, "I will put your dress in better order in the sticking in +of a bodkin, than any Fleming of them all could do in twelve +hours." + +"I care not for my dress," replied Eveline, in the same manner as +before. + +"Care then for your honour--for your fame," said Rose, riding +close to her mistress, and whispering in her ear; "think, and that +hastily, how you are to dispose of this wounded young man." + +"To the castle," answered Eveline aloud, as if scorning the +affectation of secrecy; "lead to the castle, and that straight as +you can." + +"Why not rather to his own camp, or to Malpas?" said Rose-- +"dearest lady, believe, it will be for the best." + +"Wherefore not--wherefore not?--wherefore not leave him on the +way-side at once, to the knife of the Welshman, and the teeth of +the wolf?-Once--twice--three times has he been my preserver. Where +I go, he shall go; nor will I be in safety myself a moment sooner +than I know that he is so." + +Rose saw that she could make no impression on her mistress, and +her own reflection told her that the wounded man's life might be +endangered by a longer transportation than was absolutely +necessary. An expedient occurred to her, by which she imagined +this objection might be obviated; but it was necessary she should +consult her father. She struck her palfrey with her riding-rod, +and in a moment her diminutive, though beautiful figure, and her +spirited little jennet, were by the side of the gigantic Fleming +and his tall black horse, and riding, as it were, in their vast +shadow. "My dearest father," said Rose, "the lady intends that Sir +Damian be transported to the castle, where it is like he may be a +long sojourner;--what think you?-is that wholesome counsel?" + +"Wholesome for the youth, surely, Roschen," answered the Fleming, +"because he will escape the better risk of a fever." + +"True; but is it wise for my lady?" continued Rose. + +"Wise enough, if she deal wisely. But wherefore shouldst thou +doubt her, Roschen?" + +"I know not," said Rose, unwilling to breathe even to her father +the fears and doubts which she herself entertained; "but where +there are evil tongues, there may be evil rehearsing. Sir Damian +and my lady are both very young-Methinks it were better, dearest +father, would you offer the shelter of your roof to the wounded +knight, in the stead of his being carried to the castle." + +"That I shall not, wench," answered the Fleming, hastily--"that I +shall not, if I may help. Norman shall not cross my quiet +threshold, nor Englishman neither, to mock my quiet thrift, and +consume my substance. Thou dost not know them, because thou art +ever with thy lady, and hast her good favour; but I know them +well; and the best I can get from them is Lazy Flanderkin, and +Greedy Flanderkin, and Flemish, sot---I thank the saints they +cannot say Coward Flanderkin, since Gwenwyn's Welsh uproar." + +"I had ever thought, my father," answered Rose, "that your spirit +was too calm to regard these base calumnies. Bethink you we are +under this lady's banner, and that she has been my loving +mistress, and her father was your good lord; to the Constable, +too, are you beholden, for enlarged privileges. Money may pay +debt, but kindness only can requite kindness; and I forebode that +you will never have such an opportunity to do kindness to the +houses of Berenger and De Lacy, as by opening the doors of your +house to this wounded knight." + +"The doors of my house!" answered the Fleming--"do I know how long +I may call that, or any house upon earth, my own? Alas, my +daughter, we came hither to fly from the rage of the elements, but +who knows how soon we may perish by the wrath of men!" + +"You speak strangely, my father," said Rose; "it holds not with +your solid wisdom to augur such general evil from the rash +enterprise of a Welsh outlaw." + +"I think not of the One-eyed robber," said Wilkin; "although the +increase and audacity of such robbers as Dawfyd is no good sign of +a quiet country. But thou, who livest within yonder walls, hearest +but little of what passes without, and your estate is less +anxious;--you had known nothing of the news from me, unless in +case I had found it necessary to remove to another country." + +"To remove, my dearest father, from the land where your thrift and +industry have gained you an honourable competency?" + +"Ay, and where the hunger of wicked men, who envy me the produce +of my thrift, may likely bring me to a dishonourable death. There +have been tumults among the English rabble in more than one +county, and their wrath is directed against those of our nation, +as if we were Jews or heathens, and not better Christians and +better men than themselves. They have, at York, Bristol, and +elsewhere, sacked the houses of the Flemings, spoiled their goods, +misused their families, and murdered themselves.--And why?--except +that we have brought among them the skill and industry which they +possessed not; and because wealth, which they would never else +have seen in Britain, was the reward of our art and our toil. +Roschen, this evil spirit is spreading wider daily. Here we are +more safe than elsewhere, because we form a colony of some numbers +and strength. But I confide not in our neighbours; and hadst not +thou, Rose, been in security, I would long ere this have given up +all, and left Britain." + +"Given up all, and left Britain!"--The words sounded prodigious in +the ears of his daughter, who knew better than any one how +successful her father had been in his industry, and how unlikely +one of his firm and sedate temper was to abandon known and present +advantages for the dread of distant or contingent peril. At length +she replied, "If such be your peril, my father, methinks your +house and goods cannot have a better protection than, the presence +of this noble knight. Where lives the man who dare aught of +violence against the house which harbours Damian de Lacy?" + +"I know not that," said the Fleming, in the same composed and +steady, but ominous tone--"May Heaven forgive it me, if it be sin! +but I see little save folly in these Crusades, which the +priesthood have preached up so successfully. Here has the +Constable been absent for nearly three years, and no certain +tidings of his life or death, victory or defeat. He marched from +hence, as if he meant not to draw bridle or sheathe sword until +the Holy Sepulchre was won from the Saracens, yet we can hear with +no certainty whether even a hamlet has been taken from the +Saracens. In the mean-while, the people that are at home grow +discontented; their lords, with the better part of their +followers, are in Palestine--dead or alive we scarcely know; the +people themselves are oppressed and flayed by stewards and +deputies, whose yoke is neither so light nor so lightly endured as +that of the actual lord. The commons, who naturally hate the +knights and gentry, think it no bad time to make some head against +them--ay, and there be some of noble blood who would not care to +be their leaders, that they may have their share in the spoil; for +foreign expeditions and profligate habits have made many poor; and +he that is poor will murder his father for money. I hate poor +people; and I would the devil had every man who cannot keep +himself by the work of his own hand!" + +The Fleming concluded, with this characteristic imprecation, a +speech which gave Rose a more frightful view of the state of +England, than, shut up as she was within the Garde Doloureuse, she +had before had an opportunity of learning. "Surely," she said-- +"surely these violences of which you speak are not to be dreaded +by those who live under the banner of De Lacy and of Berenger?" + +"Berenger subsists but in name," answered Wilkin Flammock, "and +Damian, though a brave youth, hath not his uncle's ascendency of +character, and authority. His men also complain that they are +harassed with the duty of watching for protection of a castle, in +itself impregnable, and sufficiently garrisoned, and that they +lose all opportunity of honourable enterprise, as they call it-- +that is, of fight and spoil--in this inactive and inglorious +manner of life. They say that Damian the beardless was a man, but +that Damian with the mustache is no better than a woman; and that +age, which has darkened his upper lip, hath at the same time +blenched his courage.--And they say more, which were but wearisome +to tell." + +"Nay, but, let me know what they say; let me know it, for Heaven's +sake!" answered Rose, "if it concern, as it must concern, my dear +lady." + +"Even so, Roschen," answered Wilkin. "There are many among the +Norman men-at-arms who talk, over their wine-cups, how that Damian +de Lacy is in love with his uncle's betrothed bride; ay, and that +they correspond together by art magic." + +"By art magic, indeed, it must be," said Rose, smiling scornfully, +"for by no earthly means do they correspond, as I, for one, can +bear witness." + +"To art magic, accordingly, they impute it," quoth Wilkin +Flammock, "that so soon as ever my lady stirs beyond the portal of +her castle, De Lacy is in the saddle with a party of his cavalry, +though they are positively certain that he has received no +messenger, letter, or other ordinary notice of her purpose; nor +have they ever, on such occasions, scoured the passes long, ere +they have seen or heard of my Lady Eveline's being abroad." + +"This has not escaped me," said Rose; "and my lady has expressed +herself even displeased at the accuracy which Damian displayed in +procuring a knowledge of her motions, as well as at the officious +punctuality with which he has attended and guarded them. To-day +has, however, shown," she continued, "that his vigilance may serve +a good purpose; and as they never met upon these occasions, but +continued at such distance as excluded even the possibility of +intercourse, methinks they might have escaped the censure of the +most suspicious." + +"Ay, my daughter Roschen," replied Wilkin; "but it is possible to +drive caution so far as to excite suspicion. Why, say the men-at- +arms, should these two observe such constant, yet such guarded +intelligence with one another? Why should their approach be so +near, and why, yet, should they never meet? If they had been +merely the nephew, and the uncle's bride, they must have had +interviews avowedly and frankly; and, on the other hand, if they +be two secret lovers, there is reason to believe that they do find +their own private places of meeting, though they have art +sufficient to conceal them." + +"Every word that you speak, my father," replied the generous Rose, +"increases the absolute necessity that you receive this wounded +youth into your house. Be the evils you dread ever so great, yet, +may you rely upon it, that they cannot be augmented by admitting +him, with a few of his faithful followers." + +"Not one follower," said the Fleming, hastily, "not one beef-fed +knave of them, save the page that is to tend him, and the doctor +that is to attempt his cure." + +"But I may offer the shelter of your roof to these three, at +least?" answered Rose. + +"Do as thou wilt, do as thou wilt," said the doating father. "By +my faith, Roschen, it is well for thee thou hast sense and +moderation in asking, since I am so foolishly prompt in granting. +This is one of your freaks, now, of honour or generosity--but +commend me to prudence and honesty.--Ah! Rose, Rose, those who +would do what is better than good, sometimes bring about what is +worse than bad!--But I think I shall be quit of the trouble for +the fear; and that thy mistress, who is, with reverence, something +of a damsel errant, will stand stoutly for the chivalrous +privilege of lodging her knight in her own bower, and tending him +in person." + +The Fleming prophesied true. Rose had no sooner made the proposal +to Eveline, that the wounded Damian should be left at her father's +house for his recovery, than her mistress briefly and positively +rejected the proposal. "He has been my preserver," she said, "and +if there be one being left for whom the gates of the Garde +Doloureuse should of themselves fly open, it is to Damian de Lacy. +Nay, damsel, look not upon me with that suspicious and yet +sorrowful countenance--they that are beyond disguise, my girl, +contemn suspicion--It is to God and Our Lady that I must answer, +and to them my bosom lies open!" + +They proceeded in silence to the castle gate, when the Lady +Eveline issued her orders that her Guardian, as she emphatically +termed Damian, should be lodged in her father's apartment; and, +with the prudence of more advanced age, she gave the necessary +direction for the reception and accommodation of his followers, +and the arrangements which such an accession of guests required in +the fortress. All this she did with the utmost composure and +presence of mind, even before she altered or arranged her own +disordered dress. + +Another step still remained to be taken. She, hastened to the +Chapel of the Virgin, and prostrating herself before her divine +protectress, returned thanks for her second deliverance, and +implored her guidance and direction, and, through her +intercession, that of Almighty God, for the disposal and +regulation of her conduct. "Thou knowest," she said, "that from no +confidence in my own strength, have I thrust myself into danger. +Oh, make me strong where I am most weak--Let not my gratitude and +my compassion be a snare to me; and while I strive to discharge +the duties which thankfulness imposes on me, save me from the evil +tongues of men--and save--oh, save me from the insidious devices +of my own heart!" + +She then told her rosary with devout fervour, and retiring from +the chapel to her own apartment, summoned her women to adjust her +dress, and remove the external appearance of the violence to which +she had been so lately subjected. + + + + +CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SEVENTH + + + _Julia._----Gentle sir, + + You are our captive--but we'll use you so, + That you shall think your prison joys may match + Whate'er your liberty hath known of pleasure. + + _Roderick._ + No, fairest, we have trifled here too long; + And, lingering to see your roses blossom, + I've let my laurels wither. + + OLD PLAY. + + +Arrayed in garments of a mourning colour, and of a fashion more +matronly than perhaps altogether befitted her youth--plain to an +extremity, and devoid of all ornament, save her rosary--Eveline +now performed the duty of waiting upon her wounded deliverer; a +duty which the etiquette of the time not only permitted, but +peremptorily enjoined. She was attended by Rose and Dame Gillian. +Margery, whose element was a sick-chamber, had been already +despatched to that of the young knight, to attend to whatever his +condition might require. + +Eveline entered the room with a light step, as if unwilling to +disturb the patient. She paused at the door, and cast her eyes +around her. It had been her father's chamber; nor had she entered +it since his violent death. Around the walls hung a part of his +armour and weapons, with hawking gloves, hunting-poles, and other +instruments of silvan sport. These relics brought as it were in +living form before her the stately presence of old Sir Raymond. +"Frown not, my father,"--her lips formed the words, though her +voice did not utter them--"Frown not--Eveline will never be +unworthy of thee." + +Father Aldrovand, and Amelot, the page of Damian, were seated by +the bedside. They rose as Lady Eveline entered; and the first, who +meddled a little with the healing art, said to Eveline "that the +knight had slumbered for some time, and was now about to awake." + +Amelot at the same time came forward, and in a hasty and low +voice, begged that the chamber might be kept quiet, and the +spectators requested to retire. "My lord," he said, "ever since +his illness at Gloucester, is apt to speak something wildly as he +awakes from sleep, and will be displeased with me should I permit +any one to be near him." + +Eveline accordingly caused her women and the monk to retire into +the anteroom, while she herself remained standing by the door- +communication which connected the apartments, and heard Damian +mention her name as he turned himself painfully on his couch. "Is +she safe and unharmed?" was his first question, and it was asked +with an eagerness which intimated how far it preceded all other +considerations. When Amelot replied in the affirmative, he sighed, +as one whose bosom is relieved from some weighty load, and in a +less animated voice, asked of the page where they were. "This +apartment," he said, "with its furniture, are all strange to me." + +"My dear master," said Amelot, "you are at present too weak to ask +questions and receive explanations." + +"Be I where I will," said Damian, as if recovering his +recollection, "I am not in the place where my duty calls me. Tell +my trumpets to sound to horse--to horse, and let Ralph Genvil +carry my banner. To horse--to horse! we have not a moment to +lose!" + +The wounded knight made some effort to rise, which, in his state +of weakness, Amelot was easily able to frustrate. "Thou art +right," he said, as he sunk back into his reclining posture--"thou +art right--I am weak--but why should strength remain when honour +is lost?" The unhappy young man covered his face with his hands, +and groaned in agony, which seemed more that of the mind than of +the body. Lady Eveline approached his bedside with unassured +steps, fearing she knew not what, yet earnest to testify the +interest she felt in the distresses of the sufferer. Damian looked +up and beheld her, and again hid his face with his hands. + +"What means this strange passion, Sir Knight?" said Eveline, with +a voice which, at first weak and trembling, gradually obtained +steadiness and composure. "Ought it to grieve you so much, sworn +as you are to the duties of chivalry, that Heaven hath twice made +you its instrument to save the unfortunate Eveline Berenger?" + +"Oh no, no!" he exclaimed with rapidity; "since you are saved, all +is well--but time presses--it is necessary I should presently +depart--no-where ought I now to tarry--least of all, within this +castle--Once more, Amelot, let them get to horse!" + +"Nay, my good lord." said the damsel, "this must not be. As your +ward, I cannot let my guardian part thus suddenly--as a physician, +I cannot allow my patient to destroy himself--It is impossible +that you can brook the saddle." + +"A litter--a bier--a cart, to drag forth the dishonoured knight +and traitor--all were too good for me--a coffin were best of all! +--But see, Amelot, that it be framed like that of the meanest +churl--no spurs displayed on the pall--no shield with the ancient +coat of the De Lacys--no helmet with their knightly crest must +deck the hearse of him whose name is dishonoured!" + +"Is his brain unsettled?" said Eveline, looking with terror from +the wounded man to his attendant; "or is there some dreadful +mystery in these broken words?--If so, speak it forth; and if it +may be amended by life or goods, my deliverer will sustain no +wrong." + +Amelot regarded her with a dejected and melancholy air, shook his +head, and looked down on his master with a countenance which +seemed to express, that the questions which she asked could not be +prudently answered in Sir Damian's presence. The Lady Eveline, +observing this gesture, stepped back into the outer apartment, and +made Amelot a sign to follow her. He obeyed, after a glance at his +master, who remained in the same disconsolate posture as formerly, +with his hands crossed over his eyes, like one who wished to +exclude the light, and all which the light made visible. + +When Amelot was in the wardrobe, Eveline, making signs to her +attendants to keep at such distance as the room permitted, +questioned him closely on the cause of his master's desperate +expression of terror and remorse. "Thou knowest," she said, "that +I am bound to succour thy lord, if I may, both from gratitude, as +one whom he hath served to the peril of his life--and also from +kinsmanship. Tell me, therefore, in what case he stands, that I +may help him if I can--that is," she added, her pale cheeks deeply +colouring, "if the cause of the distress be fitting for me to +hear." + +The page bowed low, yet showed such embarrassment when he began to +speak, as produced a corresponding degree of confusion in the Lady +Eveline, who, nevertheless, urged him as before "to speak without +scruple or delay--so that the tenor of his discourse was fitting +for her ears." + +"Believe me, noble lady," said Amelot, "your commands had been +instantly obeyed, but that I fear my master's displeasure if I +talk of his affairs without his warrant; nevertheless, on your +command, whom I know he honours above all earthly beings, I will +speak thus far, that if his life be safe from the wounds he has +received, his honour and worship may be in great danger, if it +please not Heaven to send a remedy." + +"Speak on," said Eveline; "and be assured you will do Sir Damian +de Lacy no prejudice by the confidence you may rest in me." + +"I well believe it, lady," said the page. "Know, then, if it be +not already known to you, that the clowns and rabble, who have +taken arms against the nobles in the west, pretend to be favoured +in their insurrection, not only by Randal Lacy, but by my master, +Sir Damian." + +"They lie that dare charge him with such foul treason to his own +blood, as well as to his sovereign!" replied Eveline. + +"Well do I believe they lie," said Amelot; "but this hinders not +their falsehoods from being believed by those who know him less +inwardly. More than one runaway from our troop have joined this +rabblement, and that gives some credit to the scandal. And then +they say--they say--that--in short, that my master longs to +possess the lands in his proper right which he occupies as his +uncle's administrator; and that if the old Constable--I crave your +pardon, madam--should return from Palestine, he should find it +difficult to obtain possession of his own again." + +"The sordid wretches judge of others by their own base minds, and +conceive those temptations too powerful for men of worth, which +they are themselves conscious they would be unable to resist. But +are the insurgents then so insolent and so powerful? We have heard +of their violences, but only as if it had been some popular +tumult." + +"We had notice last night that they have drawn together in great +force, and besieged or blockaded Wild Wenlock, with his men-at- +arms, in a village about ten miles hence. He hath sent to my +master, as his kinsman and companion-at-arms, to come to his +assistance. We were on horseback this morning to march to the +rescue--when--" + +He paused, and seemed unwilling to proceed. Eveline caught at the +word. "When you heard of my danger?" she said. "I would ye had +rather heard of my death!" + +"Surely, noble lady," said the page, with his eyes fixed on the +ground, "nothing but so strong a cause could have made my master +halt his troop, and carry the better part of them to the Welsh +mountains, when his countryman's distress, and the commands of the +King's Lieutenant, so peremptorily demanded his presence +elsewhere." + +"I knew it," she said--"I knew I was born to be his destruction! +yet methinks this is worse than I dreamed of, when the worst was +in my thoughts. I feared to occasion his death, not his loss of +fame. For God's sake, young Amelot, do what thou canst, and that +without loss of time! Get thee straightway to horse, and join to +thy own men as many as thou canst gather of mine--Go--ride, my +brave youth--show thy master's banner, and let them see that his +forces and his heart are with them, though his person be absent. +Haste, haste, for the time is precious." + +"But the safety of this castle--But your own safety?" said the +page. "God knows how willingly I would do aught to save his fame! +But I know my master's mood; and were you to suffer by my leaving +the Garde Doloureuse, even although I were to save him lands, +life, and honour, by my doing so, I should be more like to taste +of his dagger, than of his thanks or bounty." + +"Go, nevertheless, dear Amelot," said she; "gather what force thou +canst make, and begone." + +"You spur a willing horse, madam," said the page, springing to his +feet; "and in the condition of my master, I see nothing better +than that his banner should be displayed against these churls." + +"To arms, then," said Eveline, hastily; "to arms, and win thy +spurs. Bring me assurance that thy master's honour is safe, and I +will myself buckle them on thy heels. Here--take this blessed +rosary--bind it on thy crest, and be the thought of the Virgin of +the Garde Doloureuse, that never failed a votary, strong with thee +in the hour of conflict." + +She had scarcely ended, ere Amelot flew from her presence, and +summoning together such horse as he could assemble, both of his +master's, and of those belonging to the castle, there were soon +forty cavaliers mounted in the court-yard. + +But although the page was thus far readily obeyed, yet when the +soldiers heard they were to go forth on a dangerous expedition, +with no more experienced general than a youth of fifteen, they +showed a decided reluctance to move from the castle. The old +soldiers of De Lacy said, Damian himself was almost too youthful +to command them, and had no right to delegate his authority to a +mere boy; while the followers of Berenger said, their mistress +might be satisfied with her deliverance of the morning, without +trying farther dangerous conclusions by diminishing the garrison +of her castle--"The times," they said, "were stormy, and it was +wisest to keep a stone roof over their heads." + +The more the soldiers communicated their ideas and apprehensions +to each other, the stronger their disinclination to the +undertaking became; and when Amelot, who, page-like, had gone to +see that his own horse was accoutred and brought forth, returned +to the castle-yard, he found them standing confusedly together, +some mounted, some on foot, all men speaking loud, and all in a +state of disorder. Ralph Genvil, a veteran whose face had been +seamed with many a scar, and who had long followed the trade of a +soldier of fortune, stood apart from the rest, holding his horse's +bridle in one hand, and in the other the banner-spear, around +which the banner of De Lacy was still folded. + +"What means this, Genvil?" said the page, angrily. "Why do you not +mount your horse and display the banner? and what occasions all +this confusion?" + +"Truly, Sir Page," said Genvil, composedly, "I am not in my +saddle, because I have some regard for this old silken rag, which +I have borne to honour in my time, and I will not willingly carry +it where men are unwilling to follow and defend it." + +"No march--no sally--no lifting of banner to-day" cried the +soldiers, by way of burden to the banner-man's discourse. +"How now, cowards! do you mutiny?" said Amelot, laying his hand +upon his sword. + +"Menace not me, Sir Boy," said Genvil; "nor shake your sword my +way. I tell thee, Amelot, were my weapon to cross with yours, +never flail sent abroad more chaff than I would make splinters of +your hatched and gilded toasting-iron. Look you, there are gray- +bearded men here that care not to be led about on any boy's +humour. For me, I stand little upon that; and I care not whether +one boy or another commands me. But I am the Lacy's man for the +time; and I am not sure that, in marching to the aid of this Wild +Wenlock, we shall do an errand the Lacy will thank us for. Why led +he us not thither in the morning when we were commanded off into +the mountains?" + +"You well know the cause," said the page. + +"Yes, we do know the cause; or, if we do not, we can guess it," +answered the banner-man, with a horse laugh, which was echoed by +several of his companions. + +"I will cram the calumny down thy false throat, Genvil!" said the +page; and, drawing his sword, threw himself headlong on the +banner-man, without considering their great difference of +strength. + +Genvil was contented to foil his attack by one, and, as it seemed, +a slight movement of his gigantic arm, with which he forced the +page aside, parrying, at the same time, his blow with the +standard-spear. + +There was another loud laugh, and Amelot, feeling all his efforts +baffled, threw his sword from him, and weeping in pride and +indignation, hastened back to tell the Lady Eveline of his bad +success. "All," he said, "is lost--the cowardly villains have +mutinied, and will not move; and the blame of their sloth and +faintheartedness will be laid on my dear master." + +"That shall never be," said Eveline, "should I die to prevent it. +--Follow me, Amelot." + +She hastily threw a scarlet scarf over her dark garments, and +hastened down to the court-yard, followed by Gillian, assuming, as +she went, various attitudes and actions expressing astonishment +and pity, and by Rose, carefully suppressing all appearance of-- +the feelings which she really entertained. + +Eveline entered the castle-court, with the kindling eye and +glowing brow which her ancestors were wont to bear in danger and +extremity, when their soul was arming to meet the storm, and +displayed in their mien and looks high command and contempt of +danger. She seemed at the moment taller than her usual size; and +it was with a voice distinct and clearly heard, though not +exceeding the delicacy of feminine tone, that the mutineers heard +her address them. "How is this, my masters?" she said; and as she +spoke, the bulky forms of the armed soldiers seemed to draw closer +together, as if to escape her individual censure. It was like a +group of heavy water-fowl, when they close to avoid the stoop of +the slight and beautiful merlin, dreading the superiority of its +nature and breeding over their own inert physical strength.--"How +now?" again she demanded of them; "is it a time, think ye, to +mutiny, when your lord is absent, and his nephew and lieutenant +lies stretched on a bed of sickness?--Is it thus you keep your +oaths?--Thus ye merit your leader's bounty?--Shame on ye, craven +hounds, that quail and give back the instant you lose sight of the +huntsman!" + +There was a pause--the soldiers looked on each other, and then +again on Eveline, as if ashamed alike to hold out in their mutiny, +or to return to their usual discipline. + +"I see how it is, my brave friends--ye lack a leader here; but +stay not for that--I will guide you myself, and, woman as I am, +there need not a man of you fear disgrace where a Berenger +commands.--Trap my palfrey with a steel saddle," she said, "and +that instantly." She snatched from the ground the page's light +head-piece, and threw it over her hair, caught up his drawn sword, +and went on. "Here I promise you my countenance and guidance-- +this gentleman," she pointed to Genvil, "shall supply my lack of +military skill. He looks like a man that hath seen many a day of +battle, and can well teach a young leader her devoir." + +"Certes," said the old soldier, smiling in spite of himself, and +shaking his head at the same time, "many a battle have I seen, but +never under such a commander." + +"Nevertheless," said Eveline, seeing how the eyes of the rest +turned on Genvil, "you do not--cannot--will not--refuse to follow +me? You do not as a soldier, for my weak voice supplies your +captain's orders--you cannot as a gentleman, for a lady, a forlorn +and distressed female, asks you a boon--you will not as an +Englishman, for your country requires your sword, and your +comrades are in danger. Unfurl your banner, then, and march." + +"I would do so, upon my soul, fair lady," answered Genvil, as if +preparing to unfold the banner--"And Amelot might lead us well +enough, with advantage of some lessons from me, But I wot not +whether you are sending us on the right road." + +"Surely, surely," said Eveline, earnestly, "it must be the right +road which conducts you to the relief of Wenlock and his +followers, besieged by the insurgent boors." + +"I know not," said Genvil, still hesitating. "Our leader here, Sir +Damian de Lacy, protects the commons--men say he befriends them-- +and I know he quarrelled with Wild Wenlock once for some petty +wrong he did to the miller's wife at Twyford. We should be finely +off, when our fiery young leader is on foot again, if he should +find we had been fighting against the side he favoured." + +"Assure yourself," said the maiden, anxiously, "the more he would +protect the commons against oppression, the more he would put them +down when oppressing others. Mount and ride--save Wenlock and his +men--there is life and death in every moment. I will warrant, with +my life and lands, that whatsoever you do will be held good +service to De Lacy. Come, then, follow me." + +"None surely can know Sir Damian's purpose better than you, fair +damsel," answered Genvil; "nay, for that matter, you can make him +change as ye list,--And so I will march with the men, and we will +aid Wenlock, if it is yet time, as I trust it may; for he is a +rugged wolf, and when he turns to bay, will cost the boors blood +enough ere they sound a mort. But do you remain within the castle, +fair lady, and trust to Amelot and me.--Come, Sir Page, assume the +command, since so it must be; though, by my faith, it is pity to +take the headpiece from that pretty head, and the sword from that +pretty hand--By Saint George! to see them there is a credit to the +soldier's profession." + +The Lady accordingly surrendered the weapons to Amelot, exhorting +him in few words to forget the offence he had received, and do his +devoir manfully. Meanwhile Genvil slowly unrolled the pennon--then +shook it abroad, and without putting his foot in the stirrup, +aided himself a little with resting on the spear, and threw +himself into the saddle, heavily armed as he was. "We are ready +now, an it like your juvenility," said he to Amelot; and then, +while the page was putting the band into order, he whispered to +his nearest comrade, "Methinks, instead of this old swallow's +tail, [Footnote: The pennon of a Knight was, in shape, a long +streamer, and forked like a swallow's tail: the banner of a +Banneret was square, and was formed into the other by cutting the +ends from the pennon. It was thus the ceremony was performed on +the pennon of John Chandos, by the Black Prince, before the battle +of Nejara.] we should muster rarely under a broidered petticoat--a +furbelowed petticoat has no fellow in my mind.--Look you, Stephen +Pontoys--I can forgive Damian now for forgetting his uncle and his +own credit, about this wench; for, by my faith, she is one I could +have doated to death upon _par amours_.Ah! evil luck be the +women's portion!--they govern us at every turn, Stephen," and at +every age. When they are young, they bribe us with fair looks, and +sugared words, sweet kisses and love tokens; and when they are of +middle age, they work us to their will by presents and courtesies, +red wine and red gold; and when they are old, we are fain to run +their errands to get out of sight of their old leathern visages. +Well, old De Lacy should have staid at home and watched his +falcon. But it is all one to us, Stephen, and we may make some +vantage to-day, for these boors have plundered more than one +castle." + +"Ay, ay," answered Pontoys, "the boor to the booty, and the +banner-man to the boor, a right pithy proverb. But, prithee, canst +thou say why his pageship leads us not forward yet?" + +"Pshaw!" answered Genvil, "the shake I gave him has addled his +brains--or perchance he has not swallowed all his tears yet; sloth +it is not, for 'tis a forward cockeril for his years, wherever +honour is to be won.--See, they now begin to move.--Well, it is a +singular thing this gentle blood, Stephen; for here is a child +whom I but now baffled like a schoolboy, must lead us gray beards +where we may get our heads broken, and that at the command of a +light lady." + +"I warrant Sir Damian is secretary to my pretty lady," answered +Stephen Pontoys, "as this springald Amelot is to Sir Damian; and +so we poor men must obey and keep our mouths shut." + +"But our eyes open, Stephen Pontoys--forget not that." + +They were by this time out of the gates of the castle, and upon +the road leading to the village, in which, as they understood by +the intelligence of the morning, Wenlock was besieged or blockaded +by a greatly superior number of the insurgent commons. Amelot rode +at the head of the troop, still embarrassed at the affront which +he had received in presence of the soldiers, and lost in +meditating how he was to eke out that deficiency of experience, +which on former occasions had been supplied by the counsels of the +banner-man, with whom he was ashamed to seek a reconciliation. But +Genvil was not of a nature absolutely sullen, though a habitual +grumbler. He rode up to the page, and having made his obeisance, +respectfully asked him whether it were not well that some one or +two of their number pricked forward upon good horses to learn how +it stood with Wenlock, and whether they should be able to come up +in time to his assistance. + +"Methinks, banner-man," answered Amelot, "you should take the +ruling of the troop, since you know so fittingly what should be +done. You may be the fitter to command, because--But I will not +upbraid you." + +"Because I know so ill how to obey," replied Genvil; "that is what +you would say; and, by my faith, I cannot deny but there may be +some truth in it. But is it not peevish in thee to let a fair +expedition be unwisely conducted, because of a foolish word or a +sudden action?--Come, let it be peace with us." + +"With all my heart," answered Amelot; "and I will send out an +advanced party upon the adventure, as thou hast advised me." + +"Let it be old Stephen Pontoys and two of the Chester spears--he +is as wily as an old fox, and neither hope nor fear will draw him +a hairbreadth farther than judgment warrants." + +Amelot eagerly embraced the hint, and, at his command, Pontoys and +two lances started forward to reconnoitre the road before them, +and inquire into the condition of those whom they were advancing +to succour. "And now that we are on the old terms, Sir Page," said +the banner-man, "tell me, if thou canst, doth not yonder fair lady +love our handsome knight _par amours?_" + +"It is a false calumny," said Amelot, indignantly; "betrothed as +she is to his uncle, I am convinced she would rather die than have +such a thought, and so would our master. I have noted this +heretical belief in thee before now, Genvil, and I have prayed +thee to check it. You know the thing cannot be, for you know they +have scarce ever met." + +"How should I know that," said Genvil, "or thou either? Watch them +ever so close--much water slides past the mill that Hob Miller +never wots of. They do correspond; that, at least, thou canst not +deny?" + +"I do deny it," said Amelot, "as I deny all that can touch their +honour." + +"Then how, in Heaven's name, comes he by such perfect knowledge of +her motions, as he has displayed no longer since than the +morning?" + +"How should I tell?" answered the page; "there be such things, +surely, as saints and good angels, and if there be one on earth +deserves their protection, it is Dame Eveline Berenger." + +"Well said, Master Counsel-keeper," replied Genvil, laughing; "but +that will hardly pass on an old trooper.--Saint and angels, +quotha? most saint-like doings, I warrant you." + +The page was about to continue his angry vindication, when Stephen +Pontoys and his followers returned upon the spur. "Wenlock holds +out bravely," he exclaimed, "though he is felly girded in with +these boors. The large crossbows are doing good service; and I +little doubt his making his place good till we come up, if it +please you to ride something sharply. They have assailed the +barriers, and were close up to them even now, but were driven back +with small success." + +The party were now put in as rapid motion as might consist with +order, and soon reached the top of a small eminence, beneath which +lay the village where Wenlock was making his defence. The air rung +with the cries and shouts of the insurgents, who, numerous as +bees, and possessed of that dogged spirit of courage so peculiar +to the English, thronged like ants to the barriers, and +endeavoured to break down the palisades, or to climb over them, in +despite of the showers of stones and arrows from within, by which +they suffered great loss, as well as by the swords and battle-axes +of the men-at-arms, whenever they came to hand-blows. + +"We are in time, we are in time," said Amelot, dropping the reins +of his bridle, and joyfully clapping his hands; "shake thy banner +abroad, Genvil--give Wenlock and his fellows a fair view of it.-- +Comrades, halt--breathe your horses for a moment.--Hark hither, +Genvil--If we descend by yonder broad pathway into the meadow +where the cattle are--" "Bravo, my young falcon" replied Genvil, +whose love of battle, like that of the war-horse of Job, kindled +at the sight of the spears, and at the sound of the trumpet; "we +shall have then an easy field for a charge on yonder knaves." + +"What a thick black cloud the villains make" said Amelot; "but we +will let daylight through it with our lances--See, Genvil, the +defenders hoist a signal to show they have seen us." + +"A signal to us?" exclaimed Genvil. "By Heaven, it is a white +flag--a signal of surrender!" + +"Surrender! they cannot dream of it, when we are advancing to +their succour," replied Amelot; when two or three melancholy notes +from the trumpets of the besieged, with a thundering and +tumultuous acclamation from the besiegers, rendered the fact +indisputable. + +"Down goes Wenlock's pennon," said Genvil, "and the churls enter +the barricades on all points.--Here has been cowardice or +treachery--What is to be done?" + +"Advance on them," said Amelot, "retake the place, and deliver the +prisoners." + +"Advance, indeed!" answered the banner-man--"Not a horse's length +by my counsel--we should have every nail in our corslets counted +with arrow-shot, before we got down the hill in the face of such a +multitude and the place to storm afterwards--it were mere +insanity." + +"Yet come a little forward along with me," said the page; "perhaps +we may find some path by which we could descend unperceived." + +Accordingly they rode forward a little way to reconnoitre the face +of the hill, the page still urging the possibility of descending +it unperceived amid the confusion, when Genvil answered +impatiently, "Unperceived!-you are already perceived--here comes a +fellow, pricking towards us as fast as his beast may trot." + +As he spoke, the rider came up to them. He was a short, thick-set +peasant, in an ordinary frieze jacket and hose, with a blue cap on +his head, which he had been scarcely able to pull over a shock +head of red hair, that seemed in arms to repel the covering. The +man's hands were bloody, and he carried at his saddlebow a linen +bag, which was also stained with blood. "Ye be of Damian de Lacy's +company, be ye not?" said this rude messenger; and, when they +answered in the affirmative, he proceeded with the same blunt +courtesy, "Hob Miller of Twyford commends him to Damian de Lacy, +and knowing his purpose to amend disorders in the commonwealth, +Hob Miller sends him toll of the grist which he has grinded;" and +with that he took from the bag a human head, and tendered it to +Amelot. + +"It is Wenlock's head," said Genvil--"how his eyes stare!" + +"They will stare after no more wenches now," said the boor--"I +have cured him of caterwauling." + +"Thou!" said Amelot, stepping back in disgust and indignation. + +"Yes, I myself," replied the peasant; "I am Grand Justiciary of +the Commons, for lack of a better." + +"Grand hangman, thou wouldst say," replied Genvil. + +"Call it what thou list," replied the peasant. "Truly, it behoves +men in state to give good example. I'll bid no man do that I am +not ready to do myself. It is as easy to hang a man, as to say +hang him; we will have no splitting of offices in this new world, +which is happily set up in old England." + +"Wretch!" said Amelot, "take back thy bloody token to them that +sent thee! Hadst thou not come upon assurance, I had pinned thee +to the earth with my lance--But, be assured, your cruelty shall be +fearfully avenged.--Come, Genvil, let us to our men; there is no +farther use in abiding here." + +The fellow, who had expected a very different reception, stood +staring after them for a few moments, then replaced his bloody +trophy in the wallet, and rode back to those who sent him. + +"This comes of meddling with men's _amourettes_," said Genvil; +"Sir Damian would needs brawl with Wenlock about his dealings with +this miller's daughter, and you see they account him a favourer of +their enterprise; it will be well if others do not take up the same +opinion.--I wish we were rid of the trouble which such suspicions +may bring upon us--ay, were it at the price of my best horse--I am +like to lose him at any rate with the day's hard service, and I would +it were the worst it is to cost us." + +The party returned, wearied and discomforted, to the castle of the +Garde Doloureuse, and not without losing several of their number +by the way, some straggling owing to the weariness of their +horses, and others taking the opportunity of desertion, in order +to join the bands of insurgents and plunderers, who had now +gathered together in different quarters, and were augmented by +recruits from the dissolute soldiery. + +Amelot, on his return to the castle, found that the state of his +master was still very precarious, and that the Lady Eveline, +though much exhausted, had not yet retired to rest, but was +awaiting his return with impatience. He was introduced to her +accordingly, and, with a heavy heart, mentioned the ineffectual +event of his expedition. + +"Now the saints have pity upon us!" said the Lady Eveline; "for it +seems as if a plague or pest attached to me, and extended itself +to all who interest themselves in my welfare. From the moment they +do so, their very virtues become snares to them; and what would, +in every other case, recommend them to honour, is turned to +destruction to the friends of Eveline Berenger." + +"Fear not, fair lady," said Amelot; "there are still men enough in +my master's camp to put down these disturbers of the public peace. +I will but abide to receive his instructions, and will hence to- +morrow, and draw out a force to restore quiet in this part of the +country." + +"Alas! you know not yet the worst of it," replied Eveline. "Since +you went hence, we have received certain notice, that when the +soldiers at Sir Damian's camp heard of the accident which he this +morning met with, already discontented with the inactive life +which they had of late led, and dispirited by the hurts and +reported death of their leader, they have altogether broken up and +dispersed their forces. Yet be of good courage, Amelot," she said; +"this house is strong enough to bear out a worse tempest than any +that is likely to be poured on it; and if all men desert your +master in wounds and affliction, it becomes yet more the part of +Eveline Berenger to shelter and protect her deliverer." + + + + +CHAPTER THE TWENTY-EIGHTH + + + Let our proud trumpet shako their castle wall, + Menacing death and ruin. + OTWAY + + +The evil news with which the last chapter concluded were +necessarily told to Damian de Lacy, as the person whom they +chiefly concerned; and Lady Eveline herself undertook the task of +communicating them, mingling what she said with tears, and again +interrupting those tears to suggest topics of hope and comfort, +which carried no consolation to her own bosom. + +The wounded knight continued with his face turned towards her, +listening to the disastrous tidings, as one who was not otherwise +affected by them, than as they regarded her who told the story. +When she had done speaking, he continued as in a reverie, with his +eyes so intently fixed upon her, that she rose up, with the +purpose of withdrawing from looks by which she felt herself +embarrassed. He hastened to speak, that he might prevent her +departure. "All that you have said, fair lady," he replied, "had +been enough, if told by another, to have broken my heart; for it +tells me that the power and honour of my house, so solemnly +committed to my charge, have been blasted in my misfortunes. But +when I look upon you, and hear your voice, I forget every thing, +saving that you have been rescued, and are here in honour and +safety. Let me therefore pray of your goodness that I may be +removed from the castle which holds you, and sent elsewhere. I am +in no shape worthy of your farther care, since I have no longer +the swords of others at my disposal, and am totally unable for the +present to draw my own." + +"And if you are generous enough to think of me in your own +misfortunes, noble knight," answered Eveline, "can you suppose +that I forget wherefore, and in whose rescue, these wounds were +incurred? No, Damian, speak not of removal--while there is a +turret of the Garde Doloureuse standing, within that turret shall +you find shelter and protection. Such, I am well assured, would be +the pleasure of your uncle, were he here in person." + +It seemed as if a sudden pang of his wound had seized upon Damian; +for, repeating the words "My. uncle!" he writhed himself round, +and averted his face from Eveline; then again composing himself, +replied, "Alas! knew my uncle how ill I have obeyed his precepts, +instead of sheltering me within this house, he would command me to +be flung from the battlements!" + +"Fear not his displeasure," said Eveline, again preparing to +withdraw; "but endeavour, by the composure of your spirit, to aid +the healing of your wounds; when, I doubt not, you will be able +again to establish good order in the Constable's jurisdiction, +long before his return." + +She coloured as she pronounced the last words, and hastily left +the apartment. When she was in her own chamber, she dismissed her +other attendants and retained Rose. "What dost thou think of these +things, my wise maiden and monitress?" said she. + +"I would," replied Rose, "either that this young knight had never +entered this castle--or that, being here, he could presently leave +it--or, that he could honourably remain here for ever." + +"What dost thou mean by remaining here for ever?" said Eveline +sharply and hastily. "Let me answer that question with another-- +How long has the Constable of Chester been absent from England?" + +"Three years come Saint Clement's day," said Eveline; "and what of +that?" + +"Nay, nothing; but----" + +"But what?--I command you to speak out." + +"A few weeks will place your hand at your own disposal." + +"And think you, Rose," said Eveline, rising with dignity, "that +there are no bonds save those which are drawn by the scribe's +pen?--We know little of the Constable's adventures; but we know +enough to show that his towering hopes have fallen, and his sword +and courage proved too weak to change the fortunes of the Sultan +Saladin. Suppose him returning some brief time hence, as we have +seen so many crusaders regain their homes, poor and broken in +health--suppose that he finds his lands laid waste, and his +followers dispersed, by the consequence of their late misfortunes, +how would it sound should he also find that his betrothed bride +had wedded and endowed with her substance the nephew whom he most +trusted?--Dost thou think such an engagement is like a Lombard's +mortgage, which must be redeemed on the very day, else forfeiture +is sure to be awarded?" + +"I cannot tell, madam," replied Rose; "but they that keep their +covenant to the letter, are, in my country, held bound to no +more." + +"That is a Flemish fashion, Rose," said her mistress; "but the +honour of a Norman is not satisfied with an observance so limited. +What! wouldst thou have my honour, my affections, my duty, all +that is most valuable to a woman, depend on the same progress of +the kalendar which an usurer watches for the purpose of seizing on +a forfeited pledge?--Am I such a mere commodity, that I must +belong to one man if he claims me before Michaelmas, to another if +he comes afterwards?--No, Rose; I did not thus interpret my +engagement, sanctioned as it was by the special providence of Our +Lady of the Garde Doloureuse." + +"It is a feeling worthy of you, my dearest lady," answered the +attendant; "yet you are so young--so beset with perils--so much +exposed to calumny--that I, at least, looking forward to the time +when you may have a legal companion and protector, see it as an +extrication from much doubt and danger." "Do not think of it, +Rose," answered Eveline; "do not liken your mistress to those +provident dames, who, while one husband yet lives, though in old +age or weak health, are prudently engaged in plotting for +another." + +"Enough, my dearest lady," said Rose;---"yet not so. Permit me one +word more. Since you are determined not to avail yourself of your +freedom, even when the fatal period of your engagement is expired, +why suffer this young man to share our solitude?--He is surely +well enough to be removed to some other place of security. Let us +resume our former sequestered mode of life, until Providence send +us some better or more certain prospects." + +Eveline sighed--looked down--then looking upwards, once more had +opened her lips to express her willingness to enforce so +reasonable an arrangement, but for Damian's recent wounds, and the +distracted state of the country, when she was interrupted by the +shrill sound of trumpets, blown before the gate of the castle; and +Raoul, with anxiety on his brow, came limping to inform his lady, +that a knight, attended by a pursuivant-at-arms, in the royal +livery, with a strong guard, was in front of the castle, and +demanded admittance in the name of the King. + +Eveline paused a moment ere she replied, "Not even to the King's +order shall the castle of my ancestors be opened, until we are +well assured of the person by whom, and the purpose for which, it +is demanded. We will ourself to the gate, and learn the meaning of +this summons--My veil, Rose; and call my women.--Again that +trumpet sounds! Alas! it rings like a signal to death and ruin." + +The prophetic apprehensions of Eveline were not false; for scarce +had she reached the door of the apartment, when she was met by the +page Amelot, in a state of such disordered apprehension as an +eleve of chivalry was scarce on any occasion permitted to display. +"Lady, noble lady," he said, hastily bending his knee to Eveline, +"save my dearest master!--You, and you alone, can save him at this +extremity." + +"I!" said Eveline, in astonishment--"I save him?--And from what +danger?--God knows how willingly!" + +There she stopped short, as if afraid to trust herself with +expressing what rose to her lips. + +"Guy Monthermer, lady, is at the gate, with a pursuivant and the +royal banner. The hereditary enemy of the House of Lacy, thus +accompanied, comes hither for no good--the extent of the evil I +know not, but for evil he comes. My master slew his nephew at the +field of Malpas, and therefore"----He was here interrupted by +another flourish of trumpets, which rung, as if in shrill +impatience, through the vaults of the ancient fortress. + +The Lady Eveline hasted to the gate, and found that the wardens, +and others who attended there, were looking on each other with +doubtful and alarmed countenances, which they turned upon her at +her arrival, as if to seek from, their mistress the comfort and +the courage which they could not communicate to each other. +Without the gate, mounted, and in complete armour, was an elderly +and stately knight, whose raised visor and beaver depressed, +showed a beard already grizzled. Beside him appeared the +pursuivant on horseback, the royal arms embroidered on his +heraldic dress of office, and all the importance of offended +consequence on his countenance, which was shaded by his barret-cap +and triple plume. They were attended by a body of about fifty +soldiers, arranged under the guidon of England. + +When the Lady Eveline appeared at the barrier, the knight, after a +slight reverence, which seemed more informal courtesy than in +kindness, demanded if he saw the daughter of Raymond Berenger. +"And is it," he continued, when he had received an answer in the +affirmative, "before the castle of that approved and favoured +servant of the House of Anjou, that King Henry's trumpets have +thrice sounded, without obtaining an entrance for those who are +honoured with their Sovereign's command?" + +"My condition," answered Eveline, "must excuse my caution. I am a +lone maiden, residing in a frontier fortress. I may admit no one +without inquiring his purpose, and being assured that his entrance +consists with the safety of the place, and mine own honour." + +"Since you are so punctilious, lady," replied Monthermer, "know, +that in the present distracted state of the country, it is his +Grace the King's pleasure to place within your walls a body of +men-at-arms, sufficient to guard this important castle, both from +the insurgent peasants, who burn and slay, and from the Welsh, +who, it must be expected, will, according to their wont in time of +disturbance, make incursions on the frontiers. Undo your gates, +then, Lady of Berenger, and suffer his Grace's forces to enter the +castle." + +"Sir Knight," answered the lady, "this castle, like every other +fortress in England, is the King's by law; but by law also I am +the keeper and defender of it; and it is the tenure by which my +ancestors held these lands. I have men enough to maintain the +Garde Doloureuse in my time, as my father, and my grandfather +before him, defended it in theirs. The King is gracious to send me +succours, but I need not the aid of hirelings; neither do I think +it safe to admit such into my castle, who may, in this lawless +time, make themselves master of it for other than its lawful +mistress." + +"Lady," replied the old warrior, "his Grace is not ignorant of the +motives which produce a contumacy like this. It is not any +apprehension for the royal forces which influences you, a royal +vassal, in this refractory conduct. I might proceed upon your +refusal to proclaim you a traitor to the Crown, but the King +remembers the services of your father. Know, then, we are not +ignorant that Damian de Lacy, accused of instigating and heading +this insurrection, and of deserting his duty in the field, and +abandoning a noble comrade to the swords of the brutal peasants, +has found shelter under this roof, with little credit to your +loyalty as vassal, or your conduct as a high-born maiden. Deliver +him up to us, and I will draw off these men-at-arms, and dispense, +though I may scarce answer doing so, with the occupation of the +castle." + +"Guy de Monthermer," answered Eveline, "he that throws a stain on +my name, speaks falsely and unworthily; as for Damian de Lacy, he +knows how to defend his own fame. This only let me say, that, +while he takes his abode in the castle of the betrothed of his +kinsman, she delivers him to no one, least of all to his well- +known feudal enemy--Drop the portcullis, wardens, and let it not +be raised without my special order." + +The portcullis, as she spoke, fell rattling and clanging to the +ground, and Monthermer, in baffled spite, remained excluded from +the castle. "Un-worthy lady"--he began in passion, then, checking +himself, said calmly to the pursuivant, "Ye are witness that she +hath admitted that the traitor is within that castle,--ye are +witness that, lawfully summoned, this Eveline Berenger refuses to +deliver him up. Do your duty, Sir Pursuivant, as is usual in such +cases." + +The pursuivant then advanced and proclaimed, in the formal and +fatal phrase befitting the occasion, that Eveline Berenger, +lawfully summoned, refusing to admit the King's forces into her +castle, and to deliver up the body of a false traitor, called +Damian de Lacy, had herself incurred the penalty of high treason, +and had involved within the same doom all who aided, abetted, or +maintained her in holding out the said castle against their +allegiance to Henry of Anjou. The trumpets, so soon as the voice +of the herald had ceased, confirmed the doom he had pronounced, by +a long and ominous peal, startling from their nests the owl and +the raven, who replied to it by their ill-boding screams. + +The defenders of the castle looked on each other with blank and +dejected countenances, while Monthermer, raising aloft his lance, +exclaimed, as he turned his horse from the castle gate, "When I +next approach the Garde Doloureuse, it will be not merely to +intimate, but to execute, the mandate of my Sovereign." + +As Eveline stood pensively to behold the retreat of Monthermer and +his associates, and to consider what was to be done in this +emergency, she heard one of the Flemings, in a low tone, ask an +Englishman, who stood beside him, what was the meaning of a +traitor. + +"One who betrayeth a trust reposed--a betrayer," said the +interpreter. The phrase which he used recalled to Eveline's memory +her boding vision or dream. "Alas!" she said, "the vengeance of +the fiend is about to be accomplished. Widow'd wife and wedded +maid--these epithets have long been mine. Betrothed!--wo's me! it +is the key-stone of my destiny. Betrayer I am now denounced, +though, thank God, I am clear from the guilt! It only follows that +I should be betrayed, and the evil prophecy will be fulfilled to +the very letter." fir? + + + + +CHAPTER THE TWENTY-NINTH + + + Out on ye, owls; + Nothing but songs of death? + RICHARD III. + + +More than three months had elapsed since the event narrated in the +last chapter, and it had been the precursor of others of still +greater importance, which will evolve themselves in the course of +our narrative. But, profess to present to the reader not a precise +detail of circumstances, according to their order and date, but a +series of pictures, endeavouring to exhibit the most striking +incidents before the eye or imagination of those whom it may +concern, we therefore open a new scene, and bring other actors +upon the stage. + +Along a wasted tract of country, more than twelve miles distant +from the Garde Doloureuse, in the heat of a summer noon, which +shed a burning lustre on the silent valley, and the blackened +ruins of the cottages with which it had been once graced, two +travellers walked slowly, whose palmer cloaks, pilgrims' staves, +large slouched hats, with a scallop shell bound on the front of +each, above all, the cross, cut in red cloth upon their shoulders, +marked them as pilgrims who had accomplished their vow, and had +returned from that fatal bourne, from which, in those days, +returned so few of the thousands who visited it, whether in the +love of enterprise, or in the ardour of devotion. + +The pilgrims had passed, that morning, through a scene of +devastation similar to, and scarce surpassed in misery by, those +which they had often trod during the wars of the Cross. They had +seen hamlets which appeared to have suffered all the fury of +military execution, the houses being burned to the ground; and in +many cases the carcasses of the miserable inhabitants, or rather +relics of such objects, were suspended on temporary gibbets, or on +the trees, which had been allowed to remain standing, only, it +would seem, to serve the convenience of the executioners. Living +creatures they saw none, excepting those wild denizens of nature +who seemed silently resuming the now wasted district, from which +they might have been formerly expelled by the course of +civilization. Their ears were no less disagreeably occupied than +their eyes. The pensive travellers might indeed hear the screams +of the raven, as if lamenting the decay of the carnage on which he +had been gorged; and now and then the plaintive howl of some dog, +deprived of his home and master; but no sounds which argued either +labour or domestication of any kind. + +The sable figures, who, with wearied steps, as it appeared, +travelled through these scenes of desolation and ravage, seemed +assimilated to them in appearance. They spoke not with each other +--they looked not to each other--but one, the shorter of the pair, +keeping about half a pace in front of his companion, they moved +slowly, as priests returning from a sinner's death-bed, or rather +as spectres flitting along the precincts of a church-yard. + +At length they reached a grassy mound, on the top of which was +placed one of those receptacles for the dead of the ancient +British chiefs of distinction, called Kist-vaen, which are +composed of upright fragments of granite, so placed as to form a +stone coffin, or something bearing that resemblance. The sepulchre +had been long violated by the victorious Saxons, either in scorn +or in idle curiosity, or because treasures were supposed to be +sometimes concealed in such spots. The huge flat stone which had +once been the cover of the coffin, if so it might be termed, lay +broken in two pieces at some distance from the sepulchre; and, +overgrown as the fragments were with grass and lichens, showed +plainly that the lid had been removed to its present situation +many years before. A stunted and doddered oak still spread its +branches over the open and rude mausoleum, as if the Druid's badge +and emblem, shattered and storm-broken, was still bending to offer +its protection to the last remnants of their worship. + +"This, then, is the Kist-vaen," said the shorter pilgrim; "and +here we must abide tidings of our scout. But what, Philip Guarine, +have we to expect as an explanation of the devastation which we +have traversed?" + +"Some incursion of the Welsh wolves, my lord," replied Guarine; +"and, by Our Lady, here lies a poor Saxon sheep whom they have +snapped up." + +The Constable (for he was the pilgrim who had walked foremost) as +he heard his squire speak, and saw the corpse of a man amongst the +long grass; by which, indeed, it was so hidden, that he himself +had passed without notice, what the esquire, in less abstracted +mood, had not failed to observe. The leathern doublet of the slain +bespoke him an English peasant--the body lay on its face, and the +arrow which had caused his death still stuck in his back. + +Philip Guarine, with the cool indifference of one accustomed to +such scenes, drew the shaft from the man's back, as composedly as +he would have removed it from the body of a deer. With similar +indifference the Constable signed to his esquire to give him the +arrow--looked at it with indolent curiosity, and then said, "Thou +hast forgotten thy old craft, Guarine, when thou callest that a +Welsh shaft. Trust me, it flew from a Norman bow; but why it +should be found in the body of that English churl, I can ill +guess." + +"Some runaway serf, I would warrant--some mongrel cur, who had +joined the Welsh pack of hounds," answered the esquire. + +"It may be so," said the Constable; "but I rather augur some civil +war among the Lords Marchers themselves. The Welsh, indeed, sweep +the villages, and leave nothing behind them but blood and ashes, +but here even castles seem to have been stormed and taken. May God +send us good news of the Garde Doloureuse!" + +"Amen!" replied his squire; "but if Renault Vidal brings it, +'twill be the first time he has proved a bird of good omen." + +"Philip," said the Constable, "I have already told thee thou art a +jealous-pated fool. How many times has Vidal shown his faith in +doubt--his address in difficulty-his courage in battle-his +patience under suffering?" + +"It may be all very true, my lord," replied Guarine; "yet--but +what avails to speak?--I own he has done you sometimes good +service; but loath were I that your life or honour were at the +mercy of Renault Vidal." + +"In the name of all the saints, thou peevish and suspicious fool, +what is it thou canst found upon to his prejudice?" + +"Nothing, my lord," replied Guarine, "but instinctive suspicion +and aversion. The child that, for the first time, sees a snake, +knows nothing of its evil properties, yet he will not chase it and +take it up as he would a butterfly. Such is my dislike of Vidal--I +cannot help it. I could pardon the man his malicious and gloomy +sidelong looks, when he thinks no one observes him; but his +sneering laugh I cannot forgive--it is like the beast we heard of +in Judea, who laughs, they say, before he tears and destroys." + +"Philip," said De Lacy, "I am sorry for thee--sorry, from my soul, +to see such a predominating and causeless jealousy occupy the +brain of a gallant old soldier. Here, in this last misfortune, to +recall no more ancient proofs of his fidelity, could he mean +otherwise than well with us, when, thrown by shipwreck upon the +coast of Wales, we would have been doomed to instant death, had +the Cymri recognized in me the Constable of Chester, and in thee +his trusty esquire, the executioner of his commands against the +Welsh in so many instances?" + +"I acknowledge," said Philip Guarine, "death had surely been our +fortune, had not that man's ingenuity represented us as pilgrims, +and, under that character, acted as our interpreter--and in that +character he entirely precluded us from getting information from +any one respecting the state of things here, which it behoved your +lordship much to know, and which I must needs say looks gloomy and +suspicious enough." + +"Still art thou a fool, Guarine," said the Constable; "for, look +you, had Vidal meant ill by us, why should he not have betrayed us +to the Welsh, or suffered us, by showing such knowledge as thou +and I may have of their gibberish, to betray ourselves?' + +"Well, my lord," said Guarine, "I may be silenced, but not +satisfied. All the fair words he can speak--all the fine tunes he +can play--Renault Vidal will be to my eyes ever a dark and +suspicious man, with features always ready to mould themselves +into the fittest form to attract confidence; with a tongue framed +to utter the most flattering and agreeable words at one time, and +at another to play shrewd plainness or blunt honesty; and an eye +which, when he thinks himself unobserved, contradicts every +assumed expression of features, every protestation of honesty, and +every word of courtesy or cordiality to which his tongue has given +utterance. But I speak not more on the subject; only I am an old +mastiff, of the true breed--I love my master, but cannot endure +some of those whom he favours; and yonder, as I judge, comes +Vidal, to give us such an account of our situation as it shall +please him." + +A horseman was indeed seen advancing in the path towards the Kist- +vaen, with a hasty pace; and his dress, in which something of the +Eastern fashion was manifest, with the fantastic attire usually +worn by men of his profession, made the Constable aware that the +minstrel, of whom they were speaking, was rapidly approaching +them. + +Although Hugo de Lacy rendered this attendant no more than what in +justice he supposed his services demanded, when he vindicated him +from the suspicions thrown out by Guarine, yet at the bottom of +his heart he had sometimes shared those suspicions, and was often +angry at himself, as a just and honest man, for censuring, on the +slight testimony of looks, and sometimes casual expressions, a +fidelity which seemed to be proved by many acts of zeal and +integrity. + +When Vidal approached and dismounted to make his obeisance, his +master hasted to speak to him in words of favour, as if conscious +he had been partly sharing Guarine's unjust judgment upon him, by +even listening to it. "Welcome, my trusty Vidal," he said; "thou +hast been the raven that fed us on the mountains of Wales, be +now the dove that brings us good tidings from the Marches.--Thou +art silent. What mean these downcast looks--that embarrassed +carriage--that cap plucked down o'er thine eyes?--In God's name, +man, speak!--Fear not for me--I can bear worse than tongue of man +may tell. Thou hast seen me in the wars of Palestine, when my +brave followers fell, man by man, around me, and when I was left +well-nigh alone--and did I blench then?--Thou hast seen me when +the ship's keel lay grating on the rock, and the billows flew in +foam over her deck--did I blench then?--No--nor will I now." + +"Boast not," said the minstrel, looking fixedly upon the +Constable, as the former assumed the port and countenance of one +who sets Fortune and her utmost malice at defiance--"boast not, +lest thy bands be made strong." There was a pause of a minute, +during which the group formed at this instant a singular picture. + +Afraid to ask, yet ashamed to _seem to fear the ill tidings +which impended, the Constable confronted his messenger with person +erect, arms folded, and brow expanded with resolution: while the +minstrel, carried beyond his usual and guarded apathy by the +interest of the moment, bent on his master a keen fixed glance, as +if to observe whether his courage was real or assumed. + +Philip Guarine, on the other hand, to whom Heaven, in assigning +him a rough exterior, had denied neither sense nor observation, +kept his eye in turn, firmly fixed on Vidal, as if endeavouring to +determine what was the character of that deep interest which +gleamed in the minstrel's looks apparently, and was unable to +ascertain whether it was that of a faithful domestic +sympathetically agitated by the bad news with which he was about +to afflict his master, or that of an executioner standing with his +knife suspended over his victim, deferring his blow until he +should discover where it would be most sensibly felt. In Guarine's +mind, prejudiced, perhaps, by the previous opinion he had +entertained, the latter sentiment so decidedly predominated, that +he longed to raise his staff, and strike down to the earth the +servant, who seemed thus to enjoy the protracted sufferings of +their common master. + +At length a convulsive movement crossed the brow of the Constable, +and Guarine, when he beheld a sardonic smile begin to curl Vidal's +lip, could keep silence no longer. "Vidal," he said, "thou art a--" + +"A bearer of bad tidings," said Vidal, interrupting him, +"therefore subject to the misconstruction of every fool who cannot +distinguish between the author of harm, and him who unwillingly +reports it." + +"To what purpose this delay?" said the Constable. "Come, Sir +Minstrel, I will spare you a pang--Eveline has forsaken and +forgotten me?" The minstrel assented by a low inclination. + +Hugo de Lacy paced a short turn before the stone monument, +endeavouring to conquer the deep emotion which he felt. "I forgive +her," he said. "Forgive, did I say--Alas! I have nothing to +forgive. She used but the right I left in her hand--yes--our date +of engagement was out--she had heard of my losses--my defeats--the +destruction of my hopes--the expenditure of my wealth; and has +taken the first opportunity which strict law afforded to break off +her engagement with one bankrupt in fortune and fame. Many a +maiden would have done--perhaps in prudence should have done-- +this;--but that woman's name should not have been Eveline +Berenger." + +He leaned on his esquire's arm, and for an instant laid his head +on his shoulder with a depth of emotion which Guarine had never +before seen him betray, and which, in awkward kindness, he could +only attempt to console, by bidding his master "be of good +courage--he had lost but a woman." + +"This is no selfish emotion, Philip," said the Constable, resuming +self-command. "I grieve less that she has left me, than that she +has misjudged me--that she has treated me as the pawnbroker does +his wretched creditor, who arrests the pledge as the very moment +elapses within which it might have been relieved. Did she then +think that I in my turn would have been a creditor so rigid?--that +I, who, since I knew her, scarce deemed myself worthy of her when +I had wealth and fame, should insist on her sharing my diminished +and degraded fortunes? How little she ever knew me, or how selfish +must she have supposed my misfortunes to have made me! But be it +so--she is gone, and may she be happy. The thought that she +disturbed me shall pass from my mind; and I will think she has +done that which I myself, as her best friend, must in honour have +advised." + +So saying, his countenance, to the surprise of his attendants, +resumed its usual firm composure. + +"I give you joy," said the esquire, in a whisper to the minstrel; +"your evil news have wounded less deeply than, doubtless, you +believed was possible." + +"Alas!" replied the minstrel, "I have others and worse behind." +This answer was made in an equivocal tone of voice, corresponding +to the peculiarity of his manner, and like that seeming emotion of +a deep but very doubtful character. + +"Eveline Berenger is then married," said the Constable; "and, let +me make a wild guess,--she has not abandoned the family, though +she has forsaken the individual--she is still a Lacy? ha?--Dolt +that thou art, wilt thou not understand me? She is married to +Damian de Lacy--to my nephew?" + +The effort with which the Constable gave breath to this +supposition formed a strange contrast to the constrained smile to +which he compelled his features while he uttered it. With such a +smile a man about to drink poison might name a health, as he put +the fatal beverage to his lips. "No, my lord--not married," +answered the minstrel, with an emphasis on the word, which the +Constable knew how to interpret. + +"No, no," he replied quickly, "not married, perhaps, but engaged- +troth-plighted. Wherefore not? The date of her old alliance was +out, why not enter into a new engagement?" + +"The Lady Eveline and Sir Damian de Lacy are not affianced that I +know of," answered his attendant. + +This reply drove De Lacy's patience to extremity. + +"Dog! dost thou trifle with me?" he exclaimed: "Vile wire-pincher, +thou torturest me! Speak the worst at once, or I will presently +make thee minstrel to the household of Satan." + +Calm and collected did the minstrel reply,--"The Lady Eveline and +Sir Damian are neither married nor affianced, my lord. They have +loved and lived together--_par amours_." + +"Dog, and son of a dog," said De Lacy, "thou liest!" And, seizing +the minstrel by the breast, the exasperated baron shook him with +his whole strength. But great as that strength was, it was unable +to stagger Vidal, a practised wrestler, in the firm posture which +he had assumed, any more than his master's wrath could disturb the +composure of the minstrel's bearing. + +"Confess thou hast lied," said the Constable, releasing him, after +having effected by his violence no greater degree of agitation +than the exertion of human force produces upon the Rocking Stones +of the Druids, which may be shaken, indeed, but not displaced. + +"Were a lie to buy my own life, yea, the lives of all my tribe," +said the minstrel, "I would not tell one. But truth itself is ever +termed falsehood when it counteracts the train of our passions." + +"Hear him, Philip Guarine, hear him!" exclaimed the Constable, +turning hastily to his squire: "He tells me of my disgrace--of the +dishonour of my house--of the depravity of those whom I have loved +the best in the world--he tells me of it with a calm look, an eye +composed, an unfaltering tongue.--Is this--can it be natural? Is +De Lacy sunk so low, that his dishonour shall be told by a common +strolling minstrel, as calmly as if it were a theme for a vain +ballad? Perhaps thou wilt make it one, ha!" as he concluded, +darting a furious glance at the minstrel. + +"Perhaps I might, my lord," replied the minstrel, "were it not +that I must record therein the disgrace of Renault Vidal, who +served a lord without either patience to bear insults and wrongs, +or spirit to revenge them on the authors of his shame." + +"Thou art right, thou art right, good fellow," said the Constable, +hastily; "it is vengeance now alone which is left us--And yet upon +whom?" + +As he spoke he walked shortly and hastily to and fro; and, +becoming suddenly silent, stood still and wrung his hands with +deep emotion. + +"I told thee," said the minstrel to Guarine, "that my muse would +find a tender part at last. Dost thou remember the bull-fight we +saw in Spain? A thousand little darts perplexed and annoyed the +noble animal, ere he received the last deadly thrust from the +lance of the Moorish Cavalier." + +"Man, or fiend, be which thou wilt," replied Guarine, "that can +thus drink in with pleasure, and contemplate at your ease, the +misery of another, I bid thee beware of me! Utter thy cold-blooded +taunts in some other ear; for if my tongue be blunt, I wear a +sword that is sharp enough." + +"Thou hast seen me amongst swords," answered the minstrel, "and +knowest how little terror they have for such as I am." Yet as he +spoke he drew off from the esquire. He had, in fact, only +addressed him in that sort of fulness of heart, which would have +vented itself in soliloquy if alone, and now poured itself out on +the nearest auditor, without the speaker being entirely conscious +of the sentiments which his speech excited. + +Few minutes had elapsed before the Constable of Chester had +regained the calm external semblance with which, until this last +dreadful wound, he had borne all the inflictions of fortune. He +turned towards his followers, and addressed the minstrel with his +usual calmness, "Thou art right, good fellow," he said, "in what +thou saidst to me but now, and I forgive thee the taunt which +accompanied thy good counsel. Speak out, in God's name! and speak +to one prepared to endure the evil which God hath sent him. +Certes, a good knight is best known in battle, and a Christian in +the time of trouble and adversity." + +The tone in which the Constable spoke, seemed to produce a +corresponding effect upon the deportment of his followers. The +minstrel dropped at once the cynical and audacious tone in which +he had hitherto seemed to tamper with the passions of his master; +and in language simple and respectful, and which even approached +to sympathy, informed him of the evil news which he had collected +during his absence. It was indeed disastrous. + +The refusal of the Lady Eveline Berengor to admit Monthermer and +his forces into her castle, had of course given circulation and +credence to all the calumnies which had been circulated to her +prejudice, and that of Damian de Lacy; and there were many who, +for various causes, were interested in spreading and supporting +these slanders. A large force had been sent into the country to +subdue the insurgent peasants; and the knights and nobles +despatched for that purpose, failed not to avenge to the utter- +most, upon the wretched plebeians, the noble blood which they had +spilled during their temporary triumph. + +The followers of the unfortunate Wenlock were infected with the +same persuasion. Blamed by many for a hasty and cowardly surrender +of a post which might have been defended, they endeavoured to +vindicate themselves by alleging the hostile demonstrations of De +Lacy's cavalry as the sole cause of their premature submission. + +These rumours, supported by such interested testimony, spread wide +and far through the land; and, joined to the undeniable fact that +Damian had sought refuge in the strong castle of Garde Doloureuse, +which was now defending itself against the royal arms, animated +the numerous enemies of the house of De Lacy, and drove its +vassals and friends almost to despair, as men reduced either to +disown their feudal allegiance, or renounce that still more sacred +fealty which they owed to their sovereign. + +At this crisis they received intelligence that the wise and active +monarch by whom the sceptre of England was then swayed, was moving +towards that part of England, at the head of a large body of +soldiers, for the purpose at once of pressing the siege of the +Garde Doloureuse, and completing the suppression of the +insurrection of the peasantry, which Guy Monthermer had nearly +accomplished. + +In this emergency, and when the friends and dependents of the +House of Lacy scarcely knew which hand to turn to, Randal, the +Constable's kinsman, and, after Damian, his heir, suddenly +appeared amongst them, with a royal commission to raise and +command such followers of the family as might not desire to be +involved in the supposed treason of the Constable's delegate. In +troublesome times, men's vices are forgotten, provided they +display activity, courage, and prudence, the virtues then most +required; and the appearance of Randal, who was by no means +deficient in any of these attributes, was received as a good omen +by the followers of his cousin. They quickly gathered around him, +surrendered to the royal mandate such strongholds as they +possessed, and, to vindicate themselves from any participation in +the alleged crimes of Damian, they distinguished themselves, under +Randal's command, against such scattered bodies of peasantry as +still kept the field, or lurked in the mountains and passes; and +conducted themselves with such severity after success, as made the +troops even of Monthermer appear gentle and clement in comparison +with those of De Lacy. Finally, with the banner of his ancient +house displayed, and five hundred good men assembled under it, +Randal appeared before the Garde Poloureuse, and joined Henry's +camp there. + +The castle was already hardly pressed, and the few defenders, +disabled by wounds, watching, and privation, had now the +additional discouragement to see displayed against their walls the +only banner in England under which they had hoped forces might be +mustered for their aid. + +The high-spirited entreaties of Eveline, unbent by adversity and +want, gradually lost effect on the defenders of the castle; and +proposals for surrender were urged and discussed by a tumultuary +council, into which not only the inferior officers, but many of +the common men, had thrust themselves, as in a period of such +general distress as unlooses all the bonds of discipline, and +leaves each man at liberty to speak and act for himself. To their +surprise, in the midst of their discussions, Damian de Lacy, +arisen from the sick-bed to which he had been so long confined, +appeared among them, pale and feeble, his cheek tinged with the +ghastly look which is left by long illness--he leaned on his page +Amelot. "Gentlemen," he said, "and soldiers--yet why should I call +you either?--Gentlemen are ever ready to die in behalf of a lady-- +soldiers hold life in scorn compared to their honour." + +"Out upon him! out upon him!" exclaimed some of the soldiers, +interrupting him; "he would have us, who are innocent, die the +death of traitors, and be hanged in our armour over the walls, +rather than part with his leman." + +"Peace, irreverent slave!" said Damian, in a voice like thunder, +"or my last blow shall be a mean one, aimed against such a caitiff +as thou art.--And you," he continued, addressing the rest,--"you, +who are shrinking from the toils of your profession, because if +you persist in a course of honour, death may close them a few +years sooner than it needs must--you, who are scared like children +at the sight of a death's-head, do not suppose that Damian de Lacy +would desire to shelter himself at the expense of those lives +which you hold so dear. Make your bargain with King Henry. +Deliver me up to his justice, or his severity; or, if you like +it better, strike my head from my body, and hurl it, as a peace- +offering, from the walls of the castle. To God, in his good time, +will I trust for the clearance of mine honour. In a word, +surrender me, dead or alive, or open the gates and permit me to +surrender myself. Only, as ye are men, since I may not say better +of ye, care at least for the safety of your mistress, and make +such terms as may secure HER safety, and save yourselves from the +dishonour of being held cowardly and perjured caitiffs in your +graves." + +"Methinks the youth speaks well and reasonably," said William +Flammock. "Let us e'en make a grace of surrendering his body up to +the King, and assure thereby such terms as we can for ourselves +and the lady, ere the last morsel of our provision is consumed." + +"I would hardly have proposed this measure," said, or rather +mumbled, Father Aldrovand, who had recently lost four of his front +teeth by a stone from a sling,--"yet, being so generously offered +by the party principally concerned, I hold with the learned +scholiast, _Volenti non fit injuria_." + +"Priest and Fleming," said the old banner-man, Ralph Genvil, "I +see how the wind stirreth you; but you deceive yourselves if you +think to make our young master, Sir Damian, a scape-goat for your +light lady.--Nay, never frown nor fume, Sir Damian; if you know +not your safest course, we know it for you.--Followers of De Lacy, +throw yourselves on your horses, and two men on one, if it be +necessary--we will take this stubborn boy in the midst of us, and +the dainty squire Amelot shall be prisoner too, if he trouble us +with his peevish opposition. Then, let us make a fair sally upon +the siegers. Those who can cut their way through will shift well +enough; those who fall, will be provided for." + +A shout from the troopers of Lacy's band approved this proposal. +Whilst the followers of Berenger expostulated in loud and angry +tone, Eveline, summoned by the tumult, in vain endeavoured to +appease it; and the anger and entreaties of Damian were equally +lost on his followers. To each and either the answer was the same. + +"Have you no care of it--Because you love _par amours_, is it +reasonable you should throw away your life and ours?" So exclaimed +Genvil to De Lacy; and in softer language, but with equal +obstinacy, the followers of Raymond Berenger refused on the +present occasion to listen, to the commands or prayers of his +daughter. + +Wilkin Flammock had retreated from the tumult, when he saw the +turn which matters had taken. He left the castle by a sally-port, +of which he had been intrusted with the key, and proceeded without +observation or opposition to the royal camp, where he requested +access to the Sovereign. This was easily obtained, and Wilkin +speedily found himself in the presence of King Henry. The monarch +was in his royal pavilion, attended by two of his sons, Richard +and John, who afterwards swayed the sceptre of England with very +different auspices. + +"How now?--What art thou?" was the royal question. + +"An honest man, from the castle of the Garde Doloureuse." + +"Thou may'st be honest," replied the Sovereign, "but thou comest +from a nest of traitors." + +"Such as they are, my lord, it is my purpose to put them at your +royal disposal; for they have no longer the wisdom to guide +themselves, and lack alike prudence to hold out, and grace to +submit. But I would first know of your grace to what terms you +will admit the defenders of yonder garrison?" + +"To such as kings give to traitors," said Henry, sternly--"sharp +knives and tough cords." + +"Nay, my gracious lord, you must be kinder than that amounts to, +if the castle is to be rendered by my means; else will your cords +and knives have only my poor body to work upon, and you will be as +far as ever from the inside of the Garde Doloureuse." + +The King looked at him fixedly. "Thou knowest," he said, "the law +of arms. Here, provost-marshal, stands a traitor, and yonder +stands a tree." + +"And here is a throat," said the stout-hearted Fleming, +unbuttoning the collar of his doublet. + +"By mine honour," said Prince Richard, "a sturdy and faithful +yeoman! It were better send such fellows their dinners, and then +buffet it out with them for the castle, than to starve them as the +beggarly Frenchmen famish their hounds." + +"Peace, Richard," said his father; "thy wit is over green, and thy +blood over hot, to make thee my counsellor here.--And you, knave, +speak you some reasonable terms, and we will not be over strict +with thee." + +"First, then," said the Fleming, "I stipulate full and free pardon +for life, limb, body, and goods, to me, Wilkin Flammock, and my +daughter Rose." + +"A true Fleming," said Prince John; "he takes care of himself in +the first instance." + +"His request," said the King, "is reasonable. What next?" + +"Safety in life, honour, and land, for the demoiselle Eveline +Berenger." + +"How, sir knave!" said the King, angrily, "is it for such as thou +to dictate to our judgment or clemency in the case of a noble +Norman Lady? Confine thy mediation to such as thyself; or rather +render us this castle without farther delay; and be assured thy +doing so will be of more service to the traitors within, than +weeks more of resistance, which must and shall be bootless." + +The Fleming stood silent, unwilling to surrender without some +specific terms, yet half convinced, from the situation in which he +had left the garrison of the Garde Doloureuse, that his admitting +the King's forces would be, perhaps, the best he could do for Lady +Eveline. + +"I like thy fidelity, fellow," said the King, whose acute eye +perceived the struggle in the Fleming's bosom; "but carry not thy +stubbornness too far. Have we not said we will be gracious to +yonder offenders, as far as our royal duty will permit?" + +"And, royal father," said Prince John, interposing, "I pray you +let me have the grace to take first possession, of the Garde +Doloureuse, and the wardship or forfeiture of the offending lady." + +"_I_ pray you also, my royal father, to grant John's boon," +said his brother Richard, in a tone of mockery. "Consider, royal +father, it is the first desire he hath shown to approach the +barriers of the castle, though we have attacked them forty times +at least. Marry, crossbow and mangonel were busy on the former +occasions, and it is like they will be silent now." + +"Peace, Richard," said the King; "your words, aimed at thy +brother's honour, pierce my heart.--John, thou hast thy boon as +concerns the castle; for the unhappy young lady, we will take her +in our own charge.--Fleming, how many men wilt thou undertake to +admit?" + +Ere Flammock could answer, a squire approached Prince Richard, and +whispered in his ear, yet so as to be heard by all present, "We +have discovered that some internal disturbance, or other cause +unknown, has withdrawn many of the warders from the castle walls, +and that a sudden attack might--" + +"Dost thou hear that, John?" exclaimed Richard. "Ladders, man--get +ladders, and to the wall. How I should delight to see thee on the +highest round--thy knees shaking--thy hands grasping convulsively, +like those of one in an ague fit--all air around thee, save a +baton or two of wood--the moat below--half-a-dozen pikes at thy +throat--" + +"Peace, Richard, for shame, if not for charity!" said his father, +in a tone of anger, mingled with grief. "And thou, John, get ready +for the assault." + +"As soon as I have put on my armour, father," answered the Prince; +and withdrew slowly, with a visage so blank as to promise no speed +in his preparations. + +His brother laughed as he retired, and said to his squire, "It +were no bad jest, Alberick, to carry the place ere John can change +his silk doublet for a steel one." + +So saying, he hastily withdrew, and his father exclaimed in +paternal distress, "Out, alas! as much too hot as his brother is +too cold; but it is the manlier fault.--Gloucester," said he to +that celebrated earl, "take sufficient strength, and follow Prince +Richard to guard and sustain him. If any one can rule him, it must +be a knight of thy established fame. Alas, alas! for what sin have +I deserved the affliction of these cruel family feuds!" + +"Be comforted, my lord," said the chancellor, who was also in +attendance. + +"Speak not of comfort to a father, whose sons are at discord with +each other, and agree only in their disobedience to him!" + +Thus spoke Henry the Second, than whom no wiser, or, generally +speaking, more fortunate monarch ever sat upon the throne of +England; yet whose life is a striking illustration, how family +dissensions can tarnish the most brilliant lot to which Heaven +permits humanity to aspire; and how little gratified ambition, +extended power, and the highest reputation in war and in peace, +can do towards curing the wounds of domestic affliction. + +The sudden and fiery attack of Richard, who hastened to the +escalade at the head of a score of followers, collected at random, +had the complete effect of surprise; and having surmounted the +walls with their ladders, before the contending parties within +were almost aware of the assault, the assailants burst open the +gates, and admitted Gloucester, who had hastily followed with a +strong body of men-at-arms. The garrison, in their state of +surprise, confusion, and disunion, offered but little resistance, +and would have been put to the sword, and the place plundered, had +not Henry himself entered it, and by his personal exertions and +authority, restrained the excesses of the dissolute soldiery. + +The King conducted himself, considering the times and the +provocation, with laudable moderation. He contented himself with +disarming and dismissing the common soldiers, giving them some +trifle to carry them out of the country, lest want should lead +them to form themselves into bands of robbers. The officers were +more severely treated, being for the greater part thrown into +dungeons, to abide the course of the law. In particular, +imprisonment was the lot of Damian de Lacy, against whom, +believing the various charges with which he was loaded, Henry was +so highly incensed, that he purposed to make him an example to all +false knights and disloyal subjects. To the Lady Eveline Berenger +he assigned her own apartment as a prison, in which she was +honourably attended by Rose and Alice, but guarded with the utmost +strictness. It was generally reported that her demesnes would be +declared a forfeiture to the crown, and bestowed, at least in +part, upon Randal de Lacy, who had done good service during the +siege. Her person, it was thought, was destined to the seclusion +of some distant French nunnery, where she might at leisure repent +her of her follies and her rashness. + +Father Aldrovand was delivered up to the discipline of the +convent, long experience having very effectually taught Henry the +imprudence of infringing on the privileges of the church; +although, when the King first beheld him with a rusty corslet +clasped over his frock, he with difficulty repressed the desire to +cause him to hanged over the battlements, to preach to the ravens. + +With Wilkin Flammock, Henry held much conference, particularly on +his subject of manufactures and commerce; on which the sound- +headed, though blunt-spoken Fleming, was well qualified to +instruct an intelligent monarch. "Thy intentions," he said, "shall +not be forgotten, good fellow, though they have been anticipated +by the headlong valour of my son Richard, which has cost some poor +caitiffs their lives--Richard loves not to sheathe a bloodless +weapon. But thou and thy countrymen shall return to thy mills +yonder, with a full pardon for past offences, so that you meddle +no more with such treasonable matters." + +"And our privileges and duties, my liege?" said Flammock. "Your +Majesty knows well we are vassals to the lord of this castle, and +must follow him in battle." + +"It shall no longer be so," said Henry; "I will form a community +of Flemings here, and thou, Flammock, shalt be Mayor, that thou +may'st not plead feudal obedience for a relapse into treason." + +"Treason, my liege!" said Flammock, longing, yet scarce venturing, +to 'interpose a word in behalf of Lady Eveline, for whom, despite +the constitutional coolness of his temperament, he really felt +much interest--"I would that your Grace but justly knew how many +threads went to that woof." + +"Peace, sirrah!--meddle with your loom," said Henry; "and if we +deign to speak to thee concerning the mechanical arts which thou +dost profess, take it for no warrant to intrude farther on our +privacy." + +The Fleming retired, rebuked, and in silence; and the fate of the +unhappy prisoners remained in the King's bosom. He himself took up +his lodging in the castle of the Garde Doloureuse, as a convenient +station for sending abroad parties to suppress and extinguish all +the embers of rebellion; and so active was Randal de Lacy on these +occasions, that he appeared daily to rise in the King's grace, and +was gratified with considerable grants out of the domains of +Berenger and Lacy, which the King seemed already to treat as +forfeited property. Most men considered this growing favour of +Randal as a perilous omen, both far the life of young De Lacy, and +for the fate of the unfortunate Eveline. + + + + +CHAPTER THE THIRTIETH + + + A vow, a vow--I have a vow in Heaven. + Shall I bring perjury upon my soul? + No, not for Venice. + MERCHANT OF VENICE. + + +The conclusion of the last chapter contains the tidings with which +the minstrel greeted his unhappy master, Hugo de Lacy; not indeed +with the same detail of circumstances with which we have been able +to invest the narrative, but so as to infer the general and +appalling facts, that his betrothed bride, and beloved and trusted +kinsman, had leagued together for his dishonour--had raised the +banner of rebellion against their lawful sovereign, and, failing +in their audacious attempt, had brought the life of one of them, +at least, into the most imminent danger, and the fortunes of the +House of Lacy, unless some instant remedy could be found, to the +very verge of ruin. + +Vidal marked the countenance of his master as he spoke, with the +same keen observation which the chirurgeon gives to the progress +of his dissecting-knife. There was grief on the Constable's +features--deep grief--but without the expression of abasement or +prostration which usually accompanies it; anger and shame were +there--but they were both of a noble character, seemingly excited +by his bride and nephew's transgressing the laws of allegiance, +honour, and virtue, rather than by the disgrace and damage which +he himself sustained through their crime. + +The minstrel was so much astonished at this change of deportment, +from the sensitive acuteness of agony which attended the beginning +of his narrative, that he stepped back two paces, and gazing on +the Constable with wonder, mixed with admiration, exclaimed, "We +have heard of martyrs in. Palestine, but this exceeds them!" + +"Wonder not so much, good friend," said the Constable, patiently; +"it is the first blow of the lance or mace which pierces or stuns +--those which follow are little felt." [Footnote: Such an +expression is said to have been used by Mandrin, the celebrated +smuggler, while in the act of being broken upon the wheel. This +dreadful punishment consists in the executioner, with a bar of +iron, breaking the shoulder-bones, arms, thigh-bones, and legs of +the criminal, taking--his alternate sides. The punishment is +concluded by a blow across the breast, called the _coup de +grace_, because it removes the sufferer from his agony. When +Mandrin received the second blow over the left shoulder-bone, he +laughed. His confessor inquired the reason of demeanour so +unbecoming--his situation. "I only lavish at my own folly, my +father," answered Mandrin, "who could suppose that sensibility of +pain should continue after the nervous system had been completely +deranged by the first blow.] + +"Think, my lord," said Vidal, "all is lost--love, dominion, high +office, and bright fame--so late a chief among nobles, now a poor +palmer!" + +"Wouldst thou make sport with my misery?" said Hugo, sternly; "but +even that comes of course behind my back, and why should it not be +endured when said to my face?--Know, then, minstrel, and put it in +song if you list, that Hugo de Lacy, having lost all he carried to +Palestine, and all which he left at home, is still lord of his own +mind; and adversity can no more shake him, than the breeze which +strips the oak of its leaves can tear up the trunk by the roots." + +"Now, by the tomb of my father," said the minstrel, rapturously, +"this man's nobleness is too much for my resolve!" and stepping +hastily to the Constable, he kneeled on one knee, and caught his +hand more freely than the state maintained by men of De Lacy's +rank usually permitted. "Here," said Vidal, "on this hand--this +noble hand--I renounce--" But ere he could utter another word, +Hugo de Lacy, who, perhaps, felt the freedom of the action as an +intrusion on his fallen condition, pulled back his hand, and bid +the minstrel, with as stern frown, arise, and remember that +misfortune made not De Lacy a fit personage for a mummery. + +Renault Vidal rose rebuked. "I had forgot," he said, "the distance +between an Armorican violer and a high Norman baron. I thought +that the same depth of sorrow, the same burst of joy, levelled, +for a moment at least, those artificial barriers by which men are +divided. But it is well as it is. Live within the limits of your +rank, as heretofore within your donjon tower and your fosses, my +lord, undisturbed by the sympathy of any mean man like me. I, too, +have my duties to discharge." + +"And now to the Garde Doloureuse," said the baron, turning to +Philip Guarine--"God knoweth how well it deserveth the name!-- +there to learn, with our own eyes and ears, the truth of these +woful tidings. Dismount, minstrel, and give me thy palfrey--I +would, Guarine, that I had one for thee--as for Vidal, his +attendance is less necessary. I will face my foes, or my +misfortunes, like a man--that be assured of, violer; and look not +so sullen, knave--I will not forget old adherents." + +"One of them, at least, will not forget you, my lord," replied the +minstrel, with his usual dubious tone of look and emphasis. + +But just as the Constable was about to prick forwards, two persons +appeared on the path, mounted on one horse, who, hidden by some +dwarf-wood, had come very near them without being perceived. They +were male and female; and the man, who rode foremost, was such a +picture of famine, as the eyes of the pilgrims had scarce +witnessed in all the wasted land through which they had travelled. +His features, naturally sharp and thin, had disappeared almost +entirely among the uncombed gray beard and hairs with which they +were overshadowed; and it was but the glimpse of a long nose, that +seemed as sharp as the edge of a knife, and the twinkling glimpse +of his gray eyes, which gave any intimation of his lineaments. His +leg, in the wide old boot which enclosed it, looked like the +handle of a mop left by chance in a pail--his arms were about the +thickness of riding-rods--and such parts of his person as were not +concealed by the tatters of a huntsman's cassock, seemed rather +the appendages of a mummy than a live man. + +The female who sat behind this spectre exhibited also some +symptoms of extenuation; but being a brave jolly dame naturally, +famine had not been able to render her a spectacle so rueful as +the anatomy behind which she rode. Dame Gillian's cheek (for it +was the reader's old acquaintance) had indeed lost the rosy hue of +good cheer, and the smoothness of complexion which art and easy +living had formerly substituted for the more delicate bloom of +youth; her eyes were sunken, and had lost much of their bold and +roguish lustre; but she was still in some measure herself, and the +remnants of former finery, together with the tight-drawn scarlet +hose, though sorely faded, showed still a remnant of coquettish +pretension. + +So soon as she came within sight of the pilgrims, she began to +punch Raoul with the end of her riding-rod. "Try thy new trade, +man, since thou art unfit for any other--to the good man--to them +--crave their charity." + +"Beg from beggars?" muttered Raoul; "that were hawking at +sparrows, dame." + +"It will bring our hand in use though," said Gillian; and +commenced, in a whining tone, "God love you, holy men, who have +had the grace to go to the Holy Land, and, what is more, have had +the grace to come back again; I pray, bestow some of your alms +upon my poor old husband, who is a miserable object, as you see, +and upon one who has the bad luck to be his wife--Heaven help me!" + +"Peace, woman, and hear what I have to say," said the Constable, +laying his hand upon the bridle of the horse--"I have present +occasion for that horse, and----" + +"By the hunting-horn of St. Hubert, but thou gettest him not +without blows!" answered the old huntsman "A fine world it is, +when palmers turn horse-stealers." + +"Peace, fellow" said the Constable, sternly,--"I say I have +occasion presently for the service of thy horse. Here be two gold +bezants for a day's use of the brute; it is well worth the +fee-simple of him, were he never returned." + +"But the palfrey is an old acquaintance, master," said Raoul; "and +if perchance--" + +"Out upon _if_ and _perchance_ both," said the dame, +giving her husband so determined a thrust as well-nigh pushed him +out of the saddle. "Off the horse! and thank God and this worthy +man for the help he hath sent us in this extremity. What signifies +the palfrey, when we have not enough to get food either for the +brute or ourselves? not though we would eat grass and corn with +him, like King Somebody, whom the good father used to read us to +sleep about." + +"A truce with your prating, dame," said Raoul, offering his +assistance to help her from the croupe; but she preferred that of +Guarine, who, though advanced in years, retained the advantage of +his stout soldierly figure. "I humbly thank your goodness," said +she, as, (having first kissed her,) the squire set her on the +ground. "And, pray, sir, are ye come from the Holy Land?--Heard ye +any tidings there of him that was Constable of Chester?" + +De Lacy, who was engaged in removing the pillion from behind the +saddle, stopped short in his task, and said, "Ha, dame! what would +you with him?" + +"A great deal, good palmer, an I could light on him; for his lands +and offices are all to be given, it's like, to that false thief, +his kinsman." + +"What!--to Damian, his nephew?" exclaimed the Constable, in a +harsh and hasty tone. + +"Lord, how you startle me, sir!" said Gillian; then continued, +turning to Philip Guarine, "Your friend is a hasty man, belike."; + +"It is the fault of the sun he has lived under so long," said the +squire; "but look you answer his questions truly, and he will make +it the better for you." + +Gillian instantly took the hint. "Was it Damian de Lacy you asked +after?--Alas I poor young gentleman! no offices or lands for him-- +more likely to have a gallows-cast, poor lad--and all for nought, +as I am a true dame. Damian!--no, no, it is not Damian, or damson +neither--but Randal Lacy, that must rule the roast, and have all +the old man's lands, and livings, and lordships." + +"What?" said the Constable--"before they know whether the old man. +is dead or no?-Methinks that were against law and reason both." + +"Ay, but Randal Lacy has brought about less likely matters. Look +you, he hath sworn to the King that they have true tidings of the +Constable's death--ay, and let him alone to make them soothfast +enough, if the Constable were once within his danger." + +"Indeed!" said the Constable. "But you are forging tales on a +noble gentleman. Come, come, dame, you say this because you like +not Randal Lacy." + +"Like him not!--And what reason have I to like him, I trow?" +answered Gillian. "Is it because he seduced my simplicity to let +him into the castle of the Garde Doloureuse-ay, oftener than once +or twice either,-when he was disguised as a pedlar, and told him +all the secrets of the family, and how the boy Damian, and the +girl Eveline, were dying of love with each other, but had not +courage to say a word of it, for fear of the Constable, though he +were a thousand miles off?-You seem concerned, worthy sir--may I +offer your reverend worship a trifling sup from my bottle, which +is sovereign for _tremor cordis_, and fits of the spleen?" + +"No, no," ejaculated De Lacy--"I was but grieved with the shooting +of an old wound. But, dame, I warrant me this Damian and Eveline, +as you call them, became better, closer friends, in time?" + +"They?--not they indeed, poor simpletons!" answered the dame; +"they wanted some wise counsellor to go between and advise them. +For, look you, sir, if old Hugo be dead, as is most like, it were +more natural that his bride and his nephew should inherit his +lands, than this same Randal who is but a distant kinsman, and a +foresworn caitiff to boot.--Would you think it, reverend pilgrim, +after the mountains of gold he promised me?--when the castle was +taken, and he saw I could serve him no more, he called me old +beldame, and spoke of the beadle and the cucking-stool.--Yes, +reverend sir, old beldame and cucking-stool were his best words, +when he knew I had no one to take my part, save old Raoul, who +cannot take his own. But if grim old Hugh bring back his +weatherbeaten carcass from Palestine, and have but half the devil +in him which he had when he was fool enough to go away, Saint +Mary, but I will do his kinsman's office to him!" + +There was a pause when she had done speaking. + +"Thou say'st," at length exclaimed the Constable, "that Damian de +Lacy and Eveline love each other, yet are unconscious of guilt or +falsehood, or ingratitude to me--I would say, to their relative in +Palestine!" + +"Love, sir!--in troth and so it is--they do love each other," said +Gillian; "but it is like angels--or like lambs--or like fools, if +you will; for they would never so much as have spoken together, +but for a prank of that same Randal Lacy's." + +"How!" demanded the Constable--"a prank of Randal's?--What motive +had he that these two should meet?" + +"Nay, their meeting was none of his seeking; but he had formed a +plan to carry off the Lady Eveline himself, for he was a wild +rover, this same Randal; and so he came disguised as a merchant of +falcons, and trained out my old stupid Raoul, and the Lady +Eveline, and all of us, as if to have an hour's mirth in hawking +at the heron. But he had a band of Welsh kites in readiness to +pounce upon us; and but for the sudden making in of Damian to our +rescue, it is undescribable to think what might have come of us; +and Damian being hurt in the onslaught, was carried to the Garde +Doloureuse in mere necessity; and but to save his life, it is my +belief my lady would never have asked him to cross the drawbridge, +even if he had offered." + +"Woman," said the Constable, "think what thou say'st! If thou hast +done evil in these matters heretofore, as I suspect from thine own +story, think not to put it right by a train of new falsehoods, +merely from spite at missing thy reward." + +"Palmer," said old Raoul, with his broken-toned voice, cracked by +many a hollo, "I am wont to leave the business of tale-bearing to +my wife Gillian, who will tongue-pad it with any shrew in +Christendom. But thou speak'st like one having some interest in +these matters, and therefore I will tell thee plainly, that +although this woman has published her own shame in avowing her +correspondence with that same Randal Lacy, yet what she has said +is true as the gospel; and, were it my last word, I would say that +Damian and the Lady Eveline are innocent of all treason and all +dishonesty, as is the babe unborn.--But what avails what the like +of us say, who are even driven to the very begging for mere +support, after having lived at a good house, and in a good lord's +service-blessing be with him!" + +"But hark you," continued the Constable, "are there left no +ancient servants of the House, that could speak out as well as +you?" "Humph!" answered the huntsman--"men are not willing to +babble when Randal Lacy is cracking his thong above their heads. +Many are slain, or starved to death--some disposed of--some +spirited away. But there are the weaver Flammock and his daughter +Rose, who know as much of the matter as we do." + +"What!--Wilkin Flammock the stout Netherlander?" said the +Constable; "he and his blunt but true daughter Rose?--I will +venture my life on their faith. Where dwell they?--What has been +their lot amidst these changes?" "And in God's name who are you +that ask these questions?" said Dame Gillian. "Husband, husband-- +we have been too free; there is something in that look and that +tone which I should remember." + +"Yes, look at me more fixedly," said the Constable, throwing "back +the hood which had hitherto in some degree obscured his features. + +"On your knees--on your knees, Raoul!" exclaimed Gillian, dropping +on her own at the same time; "it is the Constable himself, and he +has heard me call him old Hugh!" + +"It is all that is left of him who was the Constable, at least," +replied De Lacy; "and old Hugh willingly forgives your freedom, in +consideration of your good news. Where are Flammock and his +daughter?" + +"Rose is with the Lady Eveline," said Dame Gillian; "her ladyship, +belike, chose her for bower-woman in place of me, although Rose +was never fit to attire so much as a Dutch doll." + +"The faithful girl!" said the Constable. "And where is Flammock?" + +"Oh, for him, he has pardon and favour from the King," said Raoul; +"and is at his own house, with his rabble of weavers, close beside +the Battle-bridge, as they now call the place where your lordship +quelled the Welsh." + +"Thither will I then," said the Constable; "and will then see what +welcome King Henry of Anjou has for an old servant. You two must +accompany me." + +"My lord," said Gillian, with hesitation, "you know poor folk are +little thanked for interference with great men's affairs. I trust +your lordship will be able to protect us if we speak the truth; +and that you will not look back with displeasure on what I did, +acting for the best." + +"Peace, dame, with a wanion to ye!" said Raoul. "Will you think of +your own old sinful carcass, when you should be saving your sweet +young mistress from shame and oppression?--And for thy ill tongue, +and worse practices, his lordship knows they are bred in the bone +of thee." + +"Peace, good fellow!" said the Constable; "we will not look back +on thy wife's errors, and your fidelity shall be rewarded.--For +you, my faithful followers," he said, turning towards Guarine and +Vidal, "when De Lacy shall receive his rights, of which he doubts +nothing, his first wish shall be to reward your fidelity." + +"Mine, such as it is, has been and shall be its own reward," said +Vidal. "I will not accept favours from him in prosperity, who, in +adversity, refused me his hand--our account stands yet open." + +"Go to, thou art a fool; but thy profession hath a privilege to be +humorous," said the Constable, whose weatherbeaten and homely +features looked even handsome, when animated by gratitude to +Heaven and benevolence towards mankind. "We will meet," he said, +"at Battle-bridge, an hour before vespers--I shall have much +achieved before that time." + +"The space is short," said his esquire. + +"I have won a battle in yet shorter," replied the Constable. + + +"In which," said the minstrel, "many a man has died that thought +himself well assured of life and victory." + +"Even so shall my dangerous cousin Randal find his schemes of +ambition blighted," answered the Constable; and rode forwards, +accompanied by Raoul and his wife, who had remounted their +palfrey, while the minstrel and squire followed a-foot, and, of +course, much more slowly. + + + + +CHAPTER THE THIRTY-FIRST + + + "Oh, fear not, fear not, good Lord John, + That I would you betray, + Or sue requital for a debt, + Which nature cannot pay. + Bear witness, all ye sacred powers-- + Ye lights that 'gin to shine-- + This night shall prove the sacred tie + That binds your faith and mine." + ANCIENT SCOTTISH BALLAD. + + +Left behind by their master, the two dependants of Hugh de Lacy +marched on in sullen silence, like men who dislike and distrust +each other, though bound to one common service, and partners, +therefore, in the same hopes and fears. The dislike, indeed, was +chiefly upon Guarine's side; for nothing could be more indifferent +to Renault Vidal than was his companion, farther than as he was +conscious that Philip loved him not, and was not unlikely, so far +as lay in his power, to thwart some plans which he had nearly at +heart. He took little notice of his companion, but hummed over to +himself, as for the exercise of his memory, romances and songs, +many of which were composed in languages which Guarine, who had +only an ear for his native Norman, did not understand. + +They had proceeded together in this sullen manner for nearly two +hours, when they were met by a groom on horseback, leading a +saddled palfrey. "Pilgrims," said the man, after looking at them +with some attention, "which of you is called Philip Guarine?" + +"I, for fault of a better," said the esquire, "reply to that +name." + +"Thy lord, in that case, commends him to you," said the groom; +"and sends you this token, by which you shall know that I am his +true messenger." + +He showed the esquire a rosary, which Philip instantly recognized +as that used by the Constable. + +"I acknowledge the token," he said; "speak my master's pleasure." + +"He bids me say," replied the rider, "that his visit thrives as +well as is possible, and that this very evening, by time that the +sun sets, he will be possessed of his own. He desires, therefore, +you will mount this palfrey, and come with me to the Garde +Doloureuse, as your presence would be wanted there." + +"It is well, and I obey him," said the esquire, much pleased with +the Import of the message, and not dissatisfied at being separated +from his travelling companion. + +"And what charge for me?" said the minstrel, addressing the +messenger. + +"If you, as I guess, are the minstrel, Renault Vidal, you are to +abide your master at the Battle-bridge, according to the charge +formerly given." + +"I will meet him, as in duty bound," was Vidal's answer; and +scarce was it uttered, ere the two horsemen, turning their backs +on him, rode briskly forward, and were speedily out of sight. + +It was now four hours past noon, and the sun was declining, yet +there was more than three hours' space to the time of rendezvous, +and the distance from the place did not now exceed four miles. +Vidal, therefore, either for the sake of rest or reflection, +withdrew from the path into a thicket on the left hand, from which +gushed the waters of a streamlet, fed by a small fountain that +bubbled up amongst the trees. Here the traveller sat himself down, +and with an air which seemed unconscious of what he was doing, +bent his eye on the little sparkling font for more than half an +hour, without change of posture; so that he might, in Pagan times, +have represented the statue of a water-god bending over his urn, +and attentive only to the supplies which it was pouring forth. At +length, however, he seemed to recall himself from this state of +deep abstraction, drew himself up, and took some coarse food from +his pilgrim's scrip, as if suddenly reminded that life is not +supported without means. But he had probably something at his +heart which affected his throat or appetite. After a vain attempt +to swallow a morsel, he threw it from him in disgust, and applied +him to a small flask, in which he had some wine or other liquor. +But seemingly this also turned distasteful, for he threw from him +both scrip and bottle, and, bending down to the spring, drank +deeply of the pure element, bathed in it his hands and face, and +arising from the fountain apparently refreshed, moved slowly on +his way, singing as he went, but in a low and saddened tone, wild +fragments of ancient poetry, in a tongue equally ancient. + +Journeying on in this melancholy manner, he at length came in +sight of the Battle-bridge; near to which arose, in proud and +gloomy strength, the celebrated castle of the Garde Doloureuse. +"Here, then," he said--"here, then, I am to await the proud De +Lacy. Be it so, in God's name!--he shall know me better ere we +part." + +So saying, he strode, with long and resolved steps, across the +bridge, and ascending a mound which arose on the opposite side at +some distance, he gazed for a time upon the scene beneath--the +beautiful river, rich with the reflected tints of the western sky-- +the trees, which were already brightened to the eye, and saddened +to the fancy, with the hue of autumn--and the darksome walls and +towers of the feudal castle, from which, at times, flashed a +glimpse of splendour, as some sentinel's arms caught and gave back +a transient ray of the setting sun. + +The countenance of the minstrel, which had hitherto been dark and +troubled, seemed softened by the quiet of the scene. He threw +loose his pilgrim's dress, yet suffering part of its dark folds to +hang around him mantle-wise; under which appeared his minstrel's +tabard. He took from his side a _rote_, and striking, from +time to time, a "Welsh descant, sung at others a lay, of which we +can offer only a few fragments, literally translated from the +ancient language in which they were chanted, premising that they +are in that excursive symbolical style of poetry, which Taliessin, +Llewarch Hen, and other bards, had derived perhaps from the time +of the Druids. + + "I asked of my harp, 'Who hath injured thy chords?' + And she replied, 'The crooked finger, which I mocked in my tune.' + A blade of silver may be bended--a blade of steel abideth-- + Kindness fadeth away, but vengeance endureth. + + "The sweet taste of mead passeth from the lips, + But they are long corroded by the juice of wormwood; + The lamb is brought to the shambles, but the wolf rangeth the mountain; + Kindness fadeth away, but vengeance endureth. + + "I asked the red-hot iron, when it glimmered on the anvil, + 'Wherefore glowest thou longer than the firebrand?'-- + 'I was born in the dark mine, and the brand in the pleasant greenwood.' + Kindness fadeth away, but vengeance endureth. + + "I asked the green oak of the assembly, wherefore its boughs + were dry and seared like the horns of the stag? + And it showed me that a small worm had gnawed its roots. + The boy who remembered the scourge, undid the wicket of the + castle at midnight. + Kindness fadeth away, but vengeance endureth. + + "Lightning destroyeth temples, though their spires pierce the clouds; + Storms destroy armadas, though their sails intercept the gale. + He that is in his glory falleth, and that by a contemptible enemy. + Kindness fadeth away, but vengeance endureth." + +More of the same wild images were thrown out, each bearing some +analogy, however fanciful and remote, to the theme, which occurred +like a chorus at the close of each stanza; so that the poetry +resembled a piece of music, which, after repeated excursions +through fanciful variations, returns ever and anon to the simple +melody which is the subject of ornament. + +As the minstrel sung, his eyes were fixed on the bridge and its +vicinity; but when, near the close of his chant, he raised up his +eyes towards the distant towers of the Garde Doloureuse, he saw +that the gates were opened, and that there was a mustering of +guards and attendants without the barriers, as if some expedition +were about to set forth, or some person of importance to appear on +the scene. At the same time, glancing his eyes around, he +discovered that the landscape, so solitary when he first took his +seat on the gray stone from which he overlooked it, was now +becoming filled with figures. + +During his reverie, several persons, solitary and in groups, men, +women, and children, had begun to assemble themselves on both +sides of the river, and were loitering there, as if expecting some +spectacle. There was also much bustling at the Fleming's mills, +which, though at some distance, were also completely under his +eye. A procession seemed to be arranging itself there, which soon +began to move forward, with pipe and tabor, and various other +instruments of music, and soon approached, in regular order, the +place where Vidal was seated. + +It appeared the business in hand was of a pacific character; for +the gray-bearded old men of the little settlement, in their decent +russet gowns, came first after the rustic band of music, walking +in ranks of three and three, supported by their staves, and +regulating the motion of the whole procession by their sober and +staid pace. After these fathers of the settlement came Wilkin +Flammock, mounted on his mighty war-horse, and in complete armor, +save his head, like a vassal prepared to do military service for +his lord. After him followed, and in battle rank, the flower of +the little colony, consisting of thirty men, well armed and +appointed, whose steady march, as well as their clean and +glittering armour, showed steadiness and discipline, although they +lacked alike the fiery glance of the French soldiery, or the look +of dogged defiance which characterized the English, or the wild +ecstatic impetuosity of eye which then distinguished the Welsh. +The mothers and the maidens of the colony came next; then followed +the children, with faces as chubby, and features as serious, and +steps as grave as their parents; and last, as a rear-guard, came +the youths from fourteen to twenty, armed with light lances, bows, +and similar weapons becoming their age. + +This procession wheeled around the base of the mound or embankment +on which the minstrel was seated; crossed the bridge with the same +slow and regular pace, and formed themselves into a double line, +facing inwards, as if to receive some person of consequence, or +witness some ceremonial. Flammock remained at the extremity of the +avenue thus formed by his countrymen, and quietly, yet earnestly, +engaged in making arrangements and preparations. + +In the meanwhile, stragglers of different countries began to draw +together, apparently brought there by mere curiosity, and formed a +motley assemblage at the farther end of the bridge, which was that +nearest to the castle. Two English peasants passed very near the +stone on which Vidal sat--"Wilt thou sing us a song, minstrel," +said one of them, "and here is a tester for thee?" throwing into +his hat a small silver coin. + +"I am under a vow," answered the minstrel, "and may not practise +the gay science at present." + +"Or you are too proud to play to English churls," said the elder +peasant, "for thy tongue smacks of the Norman." + +"Keep the coin, nevertheless," said the younger man. "Let the +palmer have what the minstrel refuses to earn." + +"I pray you reserve your bounty, kind friend," said Vidal, "I need +it not;--and tell me of your kindness, instead, what matters are +going forward here." + +"Why, know you not that we have got our Constable de Lacy again, +and that he is to grant solemn investiture to the Flemish weavers +of all these fine things Harry of Anjou has given?--Had Edward the +Confessor been alive, to give the Netherland knaves their guerdon, +it would have been a cast of the gallows-tree. But come, +neighbour, we shall lose the show." + +So saying, they pressed down the hill. Vidal fixed his eyes on the +gates of the distant castle; and the distant waving of banners, +and mustering of men on horseback, though imperfectly seen at such +a distance, apprized him that one of note was about to set forth +at the head of a considerable train of military attendants. +Distant flourishes of trumpets, which came faintly yet distinctly +on his ear, seemed to attest the same. Presently he perceived, by +the dust which began to arise in columns betwixt the castle and +the bridge, as well as by the nearer sound of the clarions, that +the troop was advancing towards him in procession. + +Vidal, on his own part, seemed as if irresolute whether to retain +his present position, where he commanded a full but remote view of +the whole scene, or to obtain a nearer but more partial one, by +involving himself in the crowd which now closed around on either +hand of the bridge, unless where the avenue was kept open by the +armed and arrayed Flemings. + +A monk next hurried past Vidal, and on his enquiring as formerly +the cause of the assembly, answered, in a muttering tone, from +beneath his hood, that it was the Constable de Lacy, who, as the +first act of his authority, was then and there to deliver to the +Flemings a royal charter of their immunities. "He is in haste to +exercise his authority, methinks," said the minstrel. + +"He that has just gotten a sword is impatient to draw it," replied +the monk, who added more which the minstrel understood +imperfectly; for Father Aldrovand had not recovered the injury +which he had received during the siege. + +Vidal, however, understood him to say, that he was to meet the +Constable there, to beg his favourable intercession. + +"I also will meet him," said Renault Vidal, rising suddenly from +the stone which he occupied. + +"Follow me, then," mumbled the priest; "the Flemings know me, and +will let me forward." + +But Father Aldrovand being in disgrace, his influence was not so +potent as he had flattered himself; and both he and the minstrel +were jostled to and fro in the crowd, and separated from each +other. + +Vidal, however, was recognized by the English peasants who had +before spoke to him. "Canst thou do any jugglers' feats, +minstrel?" said one. "Thou may'st earn a fair largess, for our +Norman masters love _jonglerie_." + +"I know but one," said Vidal, "and I will show it, if you will +yield me some room." + +They crowded a little off from him, and gave him time to throw +aside his oonnet, bare his legs and knees, by stripping off the +leathern buskins which swathed them, and retaining only his +sandals. He then tied a parti-coloured handkerchief around his +swarthy and sunburnt hair, and casting off his upper doublet, +showed his brawny and nervous arms naked to the shoulder. + +But while he amused those immediately about him with these +preparations, a commotion and rush among the crowd, together with +the close sound of trumpets, answered by all the Flemish +instruments of music, as well as the shouts in Norman and English, +of "Long live the gallant Constable!--Our Lady for the bold De +Lacy!" announced that the Constable was close at hand. + +Vidal made incredible exertions to approach the leader of the +procession, whose morion, distinguished by its lofty plumes, and +right hand holding his truncheon, or leading-staff, was all he +could see, on account of the crowd of officers and armed men +around him. At length his exertions prevailed, and he came within +three yards of the Constable, who was then in a small circle which +had been with difficulty kept clear for the purpose of the +ceremonial of the day. His back was towards the minstrel, and he +was in the act of bending from his horse to deliver the royal +charter to Wilkin Flammock, who had knelt on one knee to receive +it the more reverentially. His discharge of this duty occasioned +the Constable to stoop so low that his plume seemed in the act of +mixing with the flowing mane of his noble charger. + +At this moment, Vidal threw himself, with singular agility, over +the heads of the Flemings who guarded the circle; and, ere an eye +could twinkle, his right knee was on the croupe of the Constable's +horse--the grasp of his left hand on the collar of De Lacy's buff- +coat; then, clinging to its prey like a tiger after its leap, he +drew, in the same instant of time, a short, sharp dagger--and +buried it in the back of the neck, just where the spine, which was +severed by the stroke, serves to convey to the trunk of the human +body the mysterious influences of the brain. The blow was struck +with the utmost accuracy of aim and strength of arm. The unhappy +horseman dropped from his saddle, without groan or struggle, like +a bull in the amphitheatre, under the steel of the tauridor; and +in the same saddle sat his murderer, brandishing the bloody +poniard, and urging the horse to speed. + +There was indeed a possibility of his having achieved his escape, +so much were those around paralyzed for the moment by the +suddenness and audacity of the enterprise; but Flammock's presence +of mind did not forsake him--he seized the horse by the bridle, +and, aided by those who wanted but an example, made the rider +prisoner, bound his arms, and called aloud that he must be carried +before King Henry. This proposal, uttered in Flammock's strong and +decided tone of voice, silenced a thousand wild cries of murder +and treason, which had arisen while the different and hostile +natives, of which the crowd was composed, threw upon each other +reciprocally the charge of treachery. + +All the streams, however, now assembled in one channel, and poured +with unanimous assent towards the Garde Doloureuse, excepting a +few of the murdered nobleman's train, who remained to transport +their master's body, in decent solemnity of mourning, from the +spot which he had sought with so much pomp and triumph. + +When Flammock reached the Garde Doloureuse, he was readily +admitted with his prisoner, and with such witnesses as he had +selected to prove the execution of the crime. To his request of an +audience, he was answered, that the King had commanded that none +should be admitted to him for some time; yet so singular were the +tidings of the Constable's slaughter, that the captain of the +guard ventured to interrupt Henry's privacy, in order to +communicate that event; and returned with orders that Flammock and +his prisoner should be instantly admitted to the royal apartment. +Here they found Henry, attended by several persons, who stood +respectfully behind the royal seat, in a darkened part of the +room. + +When Flammock entered, his large bulk and massive limbs were +strangely contrasted with cheeks pale with horror at what he had +just witnessed, and with awe at finding himself in the royal +presence-chamber. Beside him stood his prisoner, undaunted by the +situation in which he was placed. The blood of his victim, which +had spirited from the wound, was visible on his bare limbs and his +scanty garments; but particularly upon his brow and the +handkerchief with which it was bound. + +Henry gazed on him with a stern look, which the other not only +endured without dismay, but seemed to return with a frown of +defiance. + +"Does no one know this caitiff?" said Henry, looking around him. + +There was no immediate answer, until Philip Guarine, stepping from +the group which stood behind the royal chair, said, though with +hesitation, "So please you, my liege, but for the strange guise in +which he is now arrayed, I should say there was a household +minstrel of my master, by name Renault Vidal." + +"Thou art deceived, Norman," replied the minstrel; "my menial +place and base lineage were but assumed!--I am Cadwallon the +Briton--Cadwallon of the Nine Lays--Cadwallon, the chief bard of +Gwenwyn of Powys-land--and his avenger!" + +As he uttered the last word, his looks encountered those of a +palmer, who had gradually advanced from the recess in which the +attendants were stationed, and now confronted him. + +The Welshman's eyes looked eagerly ghastly, as if flying from +their sockets, while he exclaimed, in a tone of surprise, mingled +with horror, "Do the dead come before monarchs?--Or, if thou art +alive, _whom_ have I slain?--I dreamed not, surely, of that +bound, and of that home-blow?--yet my victim, stands before me! +Have I not slain the Constable of Chester?" + +"Thou hast indeed slain the Constable," answered the King; "but +know, Welshman, it was Randal de Lacy, on whom that charge was +this morning conferred, by our belief of our loyal and faithful +Hugh de Lacy's having been lost upon his return from the Holy +Land, as the vessel in which ho had taken passage was reported to +have suffered shipwreck. Thou hast cut short Randal's brief +elevation but by a few hours; for to-morrow's sun would have again +seen him without land or lordship." + +The prisoner dropped his head on his bosom in evident despair. "I +thought," he murmured, "that he had changed his slough, and come +forth so glorious, all too soon. May the eyes drop out that were +cheated with those baubles, a plumed cap and a lacquered baton!" + +"I will take care, Welshman, thine eyes cheat thee not again," +said the King, sternly; "before the night is an hour older, they +shall be closed on all that is earthly." + +"May I request of your nobleness," said the Constable, "that you +will permit me to ask the unhappy man a few questions?" + +"When I have demanded of him myself," said the King, "why he has +dipt his hands in the blood of a noble Norman." + +"Because he at whom I aimed my blow," said the Briton, his eye +glancing fiercely from the King to De Lacy, and back, "had spilled +the blood of the descendant of a thousand kings; to which his own +gore, or thine, proud Count of Anjou, is but as the puddle of the +highway to the silver fountain." + +Henry's eye menaced the audacious speaker; but the King reined in +his wrath when he beheld the imploring look of his servant.--"What +wouldst thou ask of him?" he said; "be brief, for his time is +short." + +"So please you, my liege, I would but demand wherefore he has for +years forborne to take the life he aimed at, when it was in his +power--nay, when it must have been lost but for his seemingly +faithful service?" + +"Norman," said Cadwallon, "I will answer thee. When I first took +upon me thy service, it was well my purpose to have slain thee +that night. There stands the man," pointing to Philip Guarine, "to +whose vigilance thou owedst thy safety." + +"Indeed," said De Lacy, "I do remember some indications of such a +purpose; but why didst thou forego it, when following +opportunities put it in thy power?" + +"When the slayer of my sovereign became God's soldier," answered +Cadwallon, "and served his cause in Palestine, he was safe from my +earthly vengeance." + +"A wonderful forbearance on the part of a Welsh assassin!" said +the King, scornfully. + +"Ay," answered Cadwallon; "and which certain Christian princes +have scarce attained to, who have never neglected the chance of +pillage or conquest afforded by the absence of a rival in the Holy +Crusade." + +"Now, by the Holy Rood"--said Henry, on the point of bursting out, +for the insult affected him peculiarly; but, suddenly stopping, he +said, with an air of contempt, "To the gallows with the knave!" + +"But one other question," said De Lacy, "Renault, or by whatever +name thou art called. Ever since my return thou hast rendered me +service inconsistent with thy stern resolution upon my life--thou +didst aid me in my shipwreck--and didst guide me safely through +Wales, where my name would have ensured my death; and all this +after the crusade was accomplished?" + +"I could explain thy doubt," said the bard, "but that it might be +thought I was pleading for my life." + +"Hesitate riot for that," said the King; "for were our Holy Father +to Intercede for thee, his prayer were in vain." + +"Well then," said the bard, "know the truth--I was too proud to +permit either wave or Welshman to share in my revenge. Know also, +what is perhaps Cadwallon's weakness--use and habit had divided my +feelings towards De Lacy, between aversion and admiration. I still +contemplated my revenge, but as something which I might never +complete, and which seemed rather an image in the clouds, than an +object to which I must one day draw near. And when I beheld thee," +he said, turning to De Lacy, "this very day so determined, so +sternly resolved, to bear thy impending fate like a man--that you +seemed to me to resemble the last tower of a ruined palace, still +holding its head to heaven, when its walls of splendour, and its +bowers of delight, lay in desolation around--may I perish, I said +to myself in secret, ere I perfect its ruin! Yes, De Lacy, then, +even then--but some hours since--hadst thou accepted my proffered +hand, I had served thee as never follower served master. You +rejected it with scorn--and yet notwithstanding that insult, it +required that I should have seen you, as I thought, trampling over +the field in which you slew my master, in the full pride of Norman +insolence, to animate my resolution to strike the blow, which, +meant for you, has slain at least one of your usurping race.--I +will answer no more questions--lead on to axe or gallows--it is +indifferent to Cadwallon--my soul will soon be with my free and +noble ancestry, and with my beloved and royal patron." + +"My liege and prince," said De Lacy, bending his knee to Henry, +"can you hear this, and refuse your ancient servant one request?-- +Spare this man!--Extinguish not such a light, because it is +devious and wild." + +"Rise, rise, De Lacy; and shame thee of thy petition," said the +King "Thy kinsman's blood-the blood of a noble Norman, is on the +Welshman's hands and brow. As I am crowned King, he shall die ere +it is wiped off.--Here! have him to present execution!" + +Cadwallon was instantly withdrawn under a guard. The Constable +seemed, by action rather than words, to continue his intercession. + +"Thou art mad, De Lacy--thou art mad, mine old and true friend, to +urge me thus," said the King, compelling De Lacy to rise. "See'st +thou not that my care in this matter is for thee?--This Randal, by +largesses and promises, hath made many friends, who will not, +perhaps, easily again be brought to your allegiance, returning as +thou dost, diminished in power and wealth. Had he lived, we might +have had hard work to deprive him entirely of the power which he +had acquired. We thank the Welsh assassin who hath rid us of him; +but his adherents would cry foul play were the murderer spared. +When blood is paid for blood, all will be forgotten, and their +loyalty will once more flow in its proper channel to thee, their +lawful lord." + +Hugo de Lacy arose from his knees, and endeavoured respectfully to +combat the politic reasons of his wily sovereign, which he plainly +saw were resorted to less for his sake than with the prudent +purpose of effecting the change of feudal authority, with the +|east possible trouble to the country or Sovereign. + +Henry listened to De Lacy's arguments patiently, and combated them +with temper, until the death-drum began--to beat, and the castle +bell to toll. He then led De Lacy to the window; on which, for it +was now dark, a strong ruddy light began to gleam from without. A +body of men-at-arms, each holding in his hand a blazing torch, +were returning along the terrace from the execution of the wild +but high-soul'd Briton, with cries of "Long live King Henry! and +so perish all enemies of the gentle Norman men!" + + +CONCLUSION + + + A sun hath set-a star hath risen, + O, Geraldine! since arms of thine + Have been the lovely lady's prison. + COLERIDGE. + +Popular fame had erred in assigning to Eveline Berenger, after the +capture of her castle, any confinement more severe than that of +her aunt the Lady Abbess of the Cistertians' convent afforded. Yet +that was severe enough; for maiden aunts, whether abbesses or no, +are not tolerant of the species of errors of which Eveline was +accused; and the innocent damosel was brought in many ways to eat +her bread in shame of countenance and bitterness of heart. Every +day of her confinement was rendered less and less endurable by +taunts, in the various forms of sympathy, consolation, and +exhortation; but which, stript of their assumed forms, were +undisguised anger and insult. The company of Rose was all which +Eveline had to sustain her under these inflictions, and that was +at length withdrawn on the very morning when so many important +events took place at the Garde Doloureuse. + +The unfortunate young lady inquired in vain of a grim-faced nun. +who appeared in Rose's place to assist her to dress, why her +companion and friend was debarred attendance. The nun observed on +that score an obstinate silence, but threw out many hints on the +importance attached to the vain ornaments of a frail child of +clay, and on the hardship that even a spouse of Heaven was +compelled to divert her thoughts from her higher duties, and +condescend to fasten clasps and adjust veils. + +The Lady Abbess, however, told her niece after matins, that her +attendant had not been withdrawn from her for a space only, but +was likely to be shut up in a house of the severest profession, +for having afforded her mistress assistance in receiving Damian de +Lacy into her sleeping apartment at the castle of Baldringham. + +A soldier of De Lacy's band, who had hitherto kept what he had +observed a secret, being off his post that night, had now in +Damian's disgrace found he might benefit himself by telling the +story. This new blow, so unexpected, so afflictive--this new +charge, which it was so difficult to explain, and so impossible +utterly to deny, seemed to Eveline to seal Damian's fate and her +own; while the thought that she had involved in ruin her single- +hearted and high-soul'd attendant, was all that had been wanting +to produce a state which approached to the apathy of despair. +"Think of me what you will," she said to her aunt, "I will no +longer defend myself--say what you will, I will no longer reply-- +carry me where you will, I will no longer resist--God will, in his +good time, clear my fame--may he forgive my persecutors!" + +After this, and during several hours of that unhappy day, the Lady +Eveline, pale, cold, silent, glided from chapel to refectory, from +refectory to chapel again, at the slightest beck of the Abbess or +her official sisters, and seemed to regard the various privations, +penances, admonitions, and repreaches, of which she, in the course +of that day, was subjected to an extraordinary share, no more than +a marble statue minds the inclemency of the external air, or the +rain-drops which fall upon it, though they must in time waste and +consume it. + +The Abbess, who loved her niece, although her affection showed +itself often in a vexatious manner, became at length alarmed-- +countermanded her orders for removing Eveline to an inferior cell-- +attended herself to see her laid in bed, (in which, as in every +thing else, the young lady seemed entirely passive,) and, with +something like reviving tenderness, kissed and blessed her on +leaving the apartment. Slight as the mark of kindness was, it was +unexpected, and, like the rod of Moses, opened the hidden +fountains of waters. Eveline wept, a resource which had been that +day denied to her--she prayed--and, finally, sobbed herself to +sleep, like an infant, with a mind somewhat tranquillized by +having given way to this tide of natural emotion. + +She awoke more than once in the night to recall mingled and gloomy +dreams of cells and of castles, of funerals and of bridals, of +coronets and of racks and gibbets; but towards morning she fell +into sleep more sound than she had hitherto enjoyed, and her +visions partook of its soothing character. The Lady of the Garde +Doloureuse seemed to smile on her amid her dreams, and to promise +her votaress protection. The shade of her father was there also; +and with the boldness of a dreamer, she saw the paternal +resemblance with awe, but without fear: his lips moved, and she +heard words-their import she did not fully comprehend, save that +they spoke of hope, consolation, and approaching happiness. There +also glided in, with bright blue eyes fixed upon hers, dressed in +a tunic of saffron-coloured silk, with a mantle of cerulean blue +of antique fashion, the form of a female, resplendent in that +delicate species of beauty which attends the fairest complexion. +It was, she thought, the Britoness Vanda; but her countenance was +no longer resentful--her long yellow hair flew not loose on her +shoulders, but was mysteriously braided with oak and mistletoe; +above all, her right hand was gracefully disposed of under her +mantle; and it was an unmutilated, unspotted, and beautifully +formed hand which crossed the brow of Eveline. Yet, under these +assurances of favour, a thrill of fear passed over her as the +vision seemed to repeat, or chant, + + "Widow'd wife and wedded maid, + Betrothed, betrayer, and betray'd, + All is done that has been said; + Vanda's wrong has been wroken-- + Take her pardon by this token." + +She bent down, as if to kiss Eveline, who started at that instant, +and then awoke. Her hand was indeed gently pressed, by one as pure +and white as her own. The blue eyes and fair hair of a lovely +female face, with half-veiled bosom and dishevelled locks, flitted +through her vision, and indeed its lips approached to those of the +lovely sleeper at the moment of her awakening; but it was Rose in +whose arms her mistress found herself pressed, and who moistened +her face with tears, as in a passion of affection she covered it +with kisses. + +"What means this, Rose?" said Eveline; "thank God, you are +restored to me!--But what mean these bursts of weeping?" + +"Let me weep--let me weep," said Rose; "it is long since I have +wept for joy, and long, I trust, it will be ere I again weep for +sorrow. News are come on the spur from the Garde Doloureuse-- +Amelot has brought them--he is at liberty--so is his master, and +in high favour with Henry. Hear yet more, but let me not tell it +too hastily--You grow pale." + +"No, no," said Eveline; "go on--go on--I think I understand you--I +think I do." + +"The villain Randal de Lacy, the master-mover of all our sorrows, +will plague you no more; he was slain by an honest Welshman, and +grieved am I that they have hanged the poor man for his good +service. Above all, the stout old Constable is himself returned +from Palestine, as worthy, and somewhat wiser, than he was; for it +is thought he will renounce his con-tract with your ladyship." + +"Silly girl," said Eveline, crimsoning as high as she had been +before pale, "jest not amidst such a tale.--But can this be +reality?--Is Randal indeed slain?--and the Constable returned?" + +These were hasty and hurried questions, answered as hastily and +confusedly, and broken with ejaculations of surprise and thanks to +Heaven, and to Our Lady, until the ecstasy of delight sobered down +into a sort of tranquil wonder. + +Meanwhile Damian Lacy also had his explanations to receive, and +the mode in which they were conveyed had something remarkable. +Damian had for some time been the inhabitant of what our age would +have termed a dungeon, but which, in the ancient days, they called +a prison. We are perhaps censurable in making the dwelling and the +food of acknowledged and convicted guilt more comfortable and +palatable than what the parties could have gained by any exertions +when at large, and supporting themselves by honest labour; but +this is a venial error compared to that of our ancestors, who, +considering a charge and a conviction as synonymous, treated the +accused before sentence in a manner which would have been of +itself a severe punishment after he was found guilty. Damian, +therefore, notwithstanding his high birth and distinguished rank, +was confined after the manner of the most atrocious criminal, was +heavily fettered, fed on the coarsest food, and experienced only +this alleviation, that he was permitted to indulge his misery in a +solitary and separate cell, the wretched furniture of which was a +mean bedstead, and a broken table and chair. A coffin--and his own +arms and initials were painted upon it--stood in one corner, to +remind him of his approaching fate; and a crucifix was placed in +another, to intimate to him that there was a world beyond that +which must soon close upon him. No noise could penetrate into the +iron silence of his prison--no rumour, either touching his own +fate or that of his friends. Charged with being taken in open arms +against the King, he was subject to military law, and to be put to +death even without the formality of a hearing; and he foresaw no +milder conclusion to his imprisonment. + +This melancholy dwelling had been the abode of Damian for nearly a +month, when, strange as it may seem, his health, which had +suffered much from his wounds, began gradually to improve, either +benefited by the abstemious diet to which he was reduced, or that +certainty, however melancholy, is an evil better endured by many +constitutions than the feverish contrast betwixt passion and duty. +But the term of his imprisonment seemed drawing speedily to a +close; his jailer, a sullen Saxon of the lowest order, in more +words than he had yet used to him, warned him to look to a speedy +change of dwelling; and the tone in which he spoke convinced the +prisoner there was no time to be lost. He demanded a confessor, +and the jailer, though he withdrew without reply, seemed to +intimate by his manner that the boon would be granted. + +Next morning, at an unusually early hour, the chains and bolts of +the cell were heard to clash and groan, and Damian was startled +from a broken sleep, which he had not enjoyed for above two hours. +His eyes were bent on the slowly opening door, as if he had +expected the headsman and his assistants; but the jailer ushered +in a stout man in a pilgrim's habit. "Is it a priest whom you +bring me, warden?" said the unhappy prisoner. + +"He can best answer the question himself," said the surly +official, and presently withdrew. + +The pilgrim remained standing on the floor, with his back to the +small window, or rather loophole, by which the cell was +imperfectly lighted, and gazed intently upon. Damian, who was +seated oil the side of his bed; his pale cheek and dishevelled +hair bearing a melancholy correspondence to his heavy irons. He +returned the pilgrim's gaze, but the imperfect light only showed +him that his visiter was a stout old man, who wore the scallop- +shell on his bonnet, as a token that he had passed the sea, and +carried a palm branch in his hand, to show he had visited the Holy +Land. + +"Benedictine, reverend father," said the unhappy young man; "are +you a priest come to unburden my conscience?" + +"I am not a priest," replied the Palmer, "but one who brings you +news of discomfort." + +"You bring them to one to whom comfort has been long a stranger, +and to a place which perchance never knew it," replied Damian. + +"I may be the bolder in my communication," said the Palmer; "those +in sorrow will better hear ill news than those whom they surprise +in the possession of content and happiness." + +"Yet even the situation of the wretched," said Damian, "can be +rendered more wretched by suspense. I pray you, reverend sir, to +speak the worst at once--if you come to announce the doom of this +poor frame, may God be gracious to the spirit which must be +violently dismissed from it!" + +"I have no such charge," said the Palmer. "I come from the Holy +Laud, and have the more grief in finding you thus, because my +message to you was one addressed to a free man, and a wealthy +one." + +"For my freedom," said Damian, "let these fetters speak, and this +apartment for my wealth.--But speak out thy news--should my uncle +--for I fear thy tale regards him--want either my arm or my +fortune, this dungeon and my degradation have farther pangs than I +had yet supposed, as they render me unable to aid him." + +"Your uncle, young man," said the Palmer, "is prisoner, I should +rather say slave, to the great Soldan, taken in a battle in which +he did his duty, though unable to avert the defeat of the +Christians, with which it was concluded. He was made prisoner +while covering the retreat, but not until he had slain with his +own hand, for his misfortune as it has proved, Hassan Ali, a +favourite of the Soldan. The cruel pagan has caused the worthy +knight to be loaded with irons heavier than those you wear, and +the dungeon to which he is confined would make this seem a palace. +The infidel's first resolution was to put the valiant Constable to +the most dreadful death which his tormentors could devise. But +fame told him that Hugo de Lacy was a man of great power and +wealth; and he has demanded a ransom of ten thousand bezants of +gold. Your uncle replied that the payment would totally impoverish +him, and oblige him to dispose of his whole estates; even then he +pleaded, time must be allowed him to convert them into money. The +Soldan replied, that it imported little to him whether a hound +like the Constable were fat or lean, and that he therefore +insisted upon the full amount of the ransom. But he so far relaxed +as to make it payable in three portions, on condition that, along +with the first portion of the price, the nearest of kin and heir +of De Lacy must be placed in his hands as a hostage for what +remained due. On these conditions he consented your uncle should +be put at liberty so soon as you arrive in Palestine with the +gold." + +"Now may I indeed call myself unhappy," said Damian, "that I +cannot show my love and duty to my noble uncle, who hath ever been +a father to me in my orphan state." + +"It will be a heavy disappointment, doubtless, to the Constable," +said the Palmer, "because he was eager to return to this happy +country, to fulfil a contract of marriage which he had formed with +a lady of great beauty and fortune." + +Damian shrunk together in such sort that his fetters clashed, but +he made no answer. + +"Were he not your uncle," continued the Pilgrim, "and well known +as a wise man, I should think he is not quite prudent in this +matter. Whatever he was before he left England, two summers spent +in the wars of Palestine, and another amid the tortures and +restraints of a heathen prison, have made him a sorry bridegroom." + +"Peace, pilgrim," said De Lacy, with a commanding tone. "It is not +thy part to censure such a noble knight as my uncle, nor is it +meet that I should listen to your strictures." + +"I crave your pardon, young man," said the Palmer. "I spoke not +without some view to your interest, which, methinks, does not so +well consort with thine uncle having an heir of his body." + +"Peace, base man!" said Damian. "By Heaven, I think worse of my +cell than I did before, since its doors opened to such a +counsellor, and of my chains, since they restrain me from +chastising him.--Depart, I pray thee." + +"Not till I have your answer for your uncle," answered the Palmer. +"My age scorns the anger of thy youth, as the rock despises the +foam of the rivulet dashed against it." + +"Then, say to my uncle," answered Damian, "I am a prisoner, or I +would have come to him--I am a confiscated beggar, or I would have +sent him my all." + +"Such virtuous purposes are easily and boldly announced," said the +Palmer, "when he who speaks them knows that he cannot be called +upon, to make good the boast of his tongue. But could I tell thee +of thy restoration to freedom and wealth, I trow thou wouldst +consider twice ere thy act confirmed the sacrifice thou hast in +thy present state promised so glibly." + +"Leave me, I prithee, old man," said Damian; "thy thought cannot +comprehend the tenor of mine--go, and add not to my distress +insults which I have not the means to avenge." + +"But what if I had it in my power to place thee in the situation +of a free and wealthy man, would it please thee then to be +reminded of thy present boast? for if not, thou may'st rely on my +discretion never to mention the difference of sentiment between +Damian bound and Damian at liberty." + +"How meanest thou?-or hast thou any meaning, save to torment me?" +said the youth. + +"Not so," replied the old Palmer, plucking from his bosom, a +parchment scroll to which a heavy seal was attached.--"Know that +thy cousin Randal hath been strangely slain, and his treacheries +towards the Constable and thee as strangely discovered. The King, +in requital of thy sufferings, hath sent thee this full pardon, +and endowed thee with a third part of those ample estates, which, +by his death, revert to the crown." + +"And hath the King also restored my freedom and my right of +blood?" exclaimed Damian. + +"From this moment, forthwith," said the Palmer--"look upon the +parchment--behold the royal hand and seal." + +"I must have better proof.--Here," he exclaimed, loudly clashing +his irons at the same time, "Here, thou Dogget-warder, son of a +Saxon wolfhound!" + +The Palmer, striking on the door, seconded the previous exertions +for summoning the jailer, who entered accordingly. + +"Warder," said Damian de Lacy, in a stern tone, "am I yet thy +prisoner, or no?" + +The sullen jailer consulted the Palmer by a look, and then +answered to Damian that he was a free man. + +"Then, death of thy heart, slave," said Damian, impatiently, "why +hang these fetters on the free limbs of a Norman noble? each +moment they con-fine him are worth a lifetime of bondage to such a +serf as thou!" + +"They are soon rid of, Sir Damian," said the man; "and I pray you +to take some patience, when you remember that ten minutes since +you had little right to think these bracelets would have been +removed for any other purpose than your progress to the scaffold." + +"Peace, ban-dog," said Damian, "and be speedy;--And thou, who hast +brought me these good tidings, I forgive thy former bearing--thou +thoughtest, doubtless, that it was prudent to extort from me +professions during my bondage which might in honour decide my +conduct when at large. The suspicion inferred in it was somewhat +offensive, but thy motive was to ensure my uncle's liberty." + +"And it is really your purpose," said the Palmer, "to employ your +newly-gained freedom in a voyage to Syria, and to exchange your +English prison for the dungeon of the Soldan?" + +"If thou thyself wilt act as my guide," answered the undaunted +youth, "you shall not say I dally by the way." + +"And the ransom," said the Palmer, "how is that to be provided?" + +"How, but from the estates, which, nominally restored to me, +remain in truth and justice my uncle's, and must be applied to his +use in the first instance? If I mistake not greatly, there is not +a Jew or Lombard who would not advance the necessary sums on such +security.--Therefore, dog," he continued, addressing the jailer, +"hasten thy unclenching and undoing of rivets, and be not dainty +of giving me a little pain, so thou break no limb, for I cannot +afford to be stayed on my journey." + +The Palmer looked on a little while, as if surprised at Damian's +determination, then exclaimed, "I can keep the old man's secret no +longer--such high-souled generosity must not be sacrificed.--Hark +thee, brave Sir Damian, I have a mighty secret still to impart, +and as this Saxon churl understands no French, this is no unfit +opportunity to communicate it. Know that thine uncle is a changed +man in mind, as he is debilitated and broken down in body. +Peevishness and jealousy have possessed themselves of a heart +which was once strong and generous; his life is now on the dregs, +and I grieve to speak it, these dregs are foul and bitter." + +"Is this thy mighty secret?" said Damian. "That men grow old, I +know; and if with infirmity of body comes infirmity of temper and +mind, their case the more strongly claims the dutiful observance +of those who are bound to them in blood or affection." + +"Ay," replied the Pilgrim, "but the Constable's mind has been +poisoned against thee by rumours which have reached his ear from +England, that there have been thoughts of affection betwixt thee +and his betrothed bride, Eveline Berenger.--Ha! have I touched you +now?" + +"Not a whit," said Damian, putting on the strongest resolution +with which his virtue could supply him--"it was but this fellow +who struck my shin-bone somewhat sharply with his hammer. Proceed. +My uncle heard such a report, and believed it?" + +"He did," said the Palmer--"I can well aver it, since he concealed +no thought from me. But he prayed me carefully to hide his +suspicions from you, 'otherwise,' said he, 'the young wolf-cub +will never thrust himself into the trap for the deliverance of the +old he-wolf. Were he once in my prison-house,' your uncle +continued to speak of you, 'he should rot and die ere I sent one +penny of ransom to set at liberty the lover of my betrothed +bride.'" + +"Could this be my uncle's sincere purpose?" said Damian, all +aghast. "Could he plan so much treachery towards me as to leave me +in the captivity into which I threw myself for his redemption?-- +Tush! it cannot be." + +"Flatter not yourself with such a vain opinion," said the Palmer-- +"if you go to Syria, you go to eternal captivity, while your uncle +returns to possession of wealth little diminished--and of Eveline +Berenger." + +"Ha!" ejaculated Damian; and looking down for an instant, demanded +of the Palmer, in a subdued voice, what he would have him do in +such an extremity. + +"The case is plain, according to my poor judgment," replied the +Palmer. "No one is bound to faith with those who mean to observe +none with him. Anticipate this treachery of your uncle, and let +his now short and infirm existence moulder out in the pestiferous +cell to which he would condemn your youthful strength. The royal +grant has assigned you lands enough for your honourable support; +and wherefore not unite with them those of the Garde Doloureuse?-- +Eveline Berenger, if I do not greatly mistake, will scarcely say +nay. Ay, more--I vouch it on my soul that she will say yes, for I +have sure information of her mind; and for her precontract, a word +from Henry to his Holiness, now that they are in the heyday of +their reconciliation, will obliterate the name Hugh from the +parchment, and insert Damian in its stead." + +"Now, by my faith," said Damian, arising and placing his foot upon +the stool, that the warder might more easily strike off the last +ring by which he was encumbered,--"I have heard of such things as +this--I have heard of beings who, with seeming gravity of word and +aspect--with subtle counsels, artfully applied to the frailties of +human nature--have haunted the cells of despairing men, and made +them many a fair promise, if they would but exchange for their +by-ways the paths of salvation. Such are the fiend's dearest agents, +and in such a guise hath the fiend himself been known to appear. +In the name of God, old man, if human thou art, begone!--I like +not thy words or thy presence--I spit at thy counsels. And mark +me," he added, with a menacing gesture, "Look to thine own safety +--I shall presently be at liberty!" + +"Boy," replied the Palmer, folding his arms contemptuously in his +cloak, "I scorn thy menaces--I leave thee not till we know each +other better!" + +"I too," said Damian, "would fain know whether thou be'st man or +fiend; and now for the trial!" As he spoke, the last shackle fell +from his leg, and clashed on the pavement, and at the same moment +he sprung on the Palmer, caught him by the waist, and exclaimed, +as he made three distinct and separate attempts to lift him up, +and dash him headlong to the earth, "This for maligning a +nobleman--this for doubting the honour of a knight--and this (with +a yet more violent exertion) for belying a lady!" + +Each effort of Damian seemed equal to have rooted up a tree; yet +though they staggered the old man, they overthrew him not; and +while Damian panted with his last exertion, he replied, "And take +this, for so roughly entreating thy father's brother." + +As he spoke, Damian de Lacy, the best youthful wrestler in +Cheshire, received no soft fall on the floor of the dungeon. He +arose slowly and astounded; but the Palmer had now thrown back +both hood and dalmatique, and the features, though bearing marks +of age and climate, were those of his uncle the Constable, who +calmly observed, "I think, Damian, thou art become stronger, or I +weaker, since my breast was last pressed against yours in our +country's celebrated sport. Thou hadst nigh had me down in that +last turn, but that I knew the old De Lacy's back-trip as well as +thou.--But wherefore kneel, man?" He raised him with much +kindness, kissed his cheek, and proceeded; "Think not, my dearest +nephew, that I meant in my late disguise to try your faith, which +I myself never doubted. But evil tongues had been busy, and it was +this which made me resolve on an experiment, the result of which +has been, as I expected, most honourable for you. And know, (for +these walls have sometimes ears, even according to the letter,) +there are ears and eyes not far distant which have heard and seen +the whole. Marry, I wish though, thy last hug had not been so +severe a one. My ribs still feel the impression of thy knuckles." + +"Dearest and honoured uncle," said Damian--"excuse----" + +"There is nothing to excuse," replied his uncle, interrupting him. +"Have we not wrestled a turn before now?--But there remains yet +one trial for thee to go through--Get thee out of this hole +speedily--don thy best array to accompany me to the Church at +noon; for, Damian, thou must be present at the marriage of the +Lady Eveline Berenger." + +This proposal at once struck to the earth the unhappy young man. +"For mercy's sake," he exclaimed, "hold me excused in this, my +gracious uncle!--I have been of late severely wounded, and am very +weak." + +"As my bones can testify," said his uncle. "Why, man, thou hast +the strength of a Norway bear." + +"Passion," answered Damian, "might give me strength for a moment; +but, dearest uncle, ask any thing of me rather than this. +Methinks, if I have been faulty, some other punishment might +suffice." + +"I tell thee," said the Constable, "thy presence is necessary-- +indispensably necessary. Strange reports have been abroad, which +thy absence on this occasion would go far to confirm, Eveline's +character and mine own are concerned in this." + +"If so," said Damian, "if it be indeed so, no task will be too +hard for me. But I trust, when the ceremony is over, you will not +refuse me your consent to take the cross, unless you should prefer +my joining the troops destined, as I heard, for the conquest of +Ireland." + +"Ay, ay," said the Constable; "if Eveline grant you permission, I +will not withhold mine." + +"Uncle," said Damian, somewhat sternly, "you do not know the +feelings which you jest with." + +"Nay," said the Constable, "I compel nothing; for if thou goest to +the church, and likest not the match, thou may'st put a stop to it +if thou wilt--the sacrament cannot proceed without the +bridegroom's consent." + +"I understand you not, uncle," said Damian; "you have already +consented." + +"Yes, Damian," he said, "I have--to withdraw my claim, and to +relinquish it in thy favour; for if Eveline Berenger is wedded +to-day, thou art her bridegroom! The Church has given her sanction-- +the King his approbation--the lady says not nay--and the question +only now remains, whether the bridegroom will say yes." + +The nature of the answer may be easily conceived; nor is it +necessary to dwell upon the splendour of the ceremonial, which, to +atone for his late unmerited severity, Henry honoured with his own +presence. Amelot and Rose were shortly afterwards united, old +Flammock having been previously created a gentleman of coat +armour, that the gentle Norman blood might without utter +derogation, mingle with the meaner stream that coloured the cheek +with crimson, and meandered in azure over the lovely neck and +bosom of the fair Fleming. There was nothing in the manner of the +Constable towards his nephew and his bride, which could infer a +regret of the generous self-denial which he had exercised in +favour of their youthful passion. But he soon after accepted a +high command in the troops destined to invade Ireland; and his +name is found amongst the highest in the roll of the chivalrous +Normans who first united that fair island to the English crown. + +Eveline, restored to her own fair castle and domains, failed not +to provide for her Confessor, as well as for her old soldiers, +servants, and retainers, forgetting their errors, and remembering +their fidelity. The Confessor was restored to the flesh-pots of +Egypt, more congenial to his habits than the meagre fare of his +convent. Even Gillian had the means of subsistence, since to +punish her would have been to distress the faithful Raoul. They +quarrelled for the future part of their lives in plenty, just as +they had formerly quarrelled in poverty; for wrangling curs will +fight over a banquet as fiercely as over a bare bone. Raoul died +first, and Gillian having lost her whetstone, found that as her +youthful looks decayed her wit turned somewhat blunt. She +therefore prudently commenced devotee, and spent hours in long +panegyrics on her departed husband. + +The only serious cause of vexation which I can trace the Lady +Eveline having been tried with, arose from a visit of her Saxon +relative, made with much form, but, unfortunately, at the very +time which the Lady Abbess had selected for that same purpose. The +discord which arose between these honoured personages was of a +double character, for they were Norman and Saxon, and, moreover, +differed in opinion concerning the time of holding Easter. This, +however, was but a slight gale to disturb the general serenity of +Eveline; for with her unhoped-for union with Damian, ended the +trials and sorrows of THE BETROTHED. + +END OF THE BETROTHED. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Betrothed, by Sir Walter Scott + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BETROTHED *** + +This file should be named 6490.txt or 6490.zip + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, David Moynihan, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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